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Animal cruelty
Illegal puppy farming
Puppy farming is the large-scale breeding of puppies for profit with little regard for their health or welfare. Puppies are often sold sick, underage and separated from their mothers too early.
About illegal puppy farming
Low-welfare breeders keep dogs in poor conditions, breed them repeatedly, and sell puppies through dealers or fake "family" settings.
Since "Lucy's Law", anyone selling a puppy or kitten in England must be the breeder or a rescue, and licensed breeders must meet welfare standards.
Signs to look for
- A seller who won't let you see the puppy with its mother or where it was bred
- Meeting in a car park or at the door rather than the breeding premises
- Sick, underage puppies, or several different breeds available at once
- No paperwork, vaccination records or licence, or pressure to buy quickly
The law
Commercial dog breeding requires a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018, which set minimum welfare standards.
"Lucy's Law" (2020) bans the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens in England, and causing unnecessary suffering remains an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
How to report illegal puppy farming
If you've witnessed illegal puppy farming, please report it to us. Give as much detail as you can safely gather — what you saw, exactly where and when, descriptions of any people, animals or vehicles involved, and any photos or video. Do not put yourself at risk or confront anyone.
If an animal is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, call 999.
Report illegal puppy farming now