Beyond prejudice: The inconvenient truths about puppy farms

Abstract

Puppy farming is not a new phenomenon; but the issues surrounding these large-scale dog-breeding operations have received increased media attention recently as 'puppy farms' have come under greater scrutiny from animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA. Consistent with this, it appears that the general public now has an increasingly negative view of puppy farms without ever having visited one, or even knowing exactly what one is. This paper attempts to provide a broader perspective to the debate, together with some practical guidelines for those employed in animal management roles.