RSPCA advises Coronation Street on puppy farm story
The storyline has seen a character come under suspicion of illegal puppy breeding.
The RSPCA has worked closely with Coronation Street, as the soap follows a character suspected of illegally breeding and selling puppies.
The welfare charity hopes that the storyline will raise awareness of dangerous puppy breeding practices, and encourage viewers to think carefully when buying puppies from a breeder.
Recent episodes of the weekday soap have shown the character Terry Fensley (played by Jamie Foster) come under suspicion of illegally breeding and selling puppies from a property.
The storyline, which continues this week, reveals that a room of his house is filled with crates of puppies and a bag of money. It will be discovered that the character is part of an illegal underground puppy breeding operation.
The RSPCA has worked with producers of the show to explore the issue accurately, as the charity receives many reports of underground puppy operations across the country.
It hopes that the collaboration will bring the issue to viewers attention, and advise them to consider where they get dogs from, so they do not unwillingly fund the illegal puppy trade.
The RSPCA is encouraging potential puppy buyers to consider adopting an animal from a rescue centre, as rehoming rates show a 30 per cent drop in pets being adopted since 2019.
However, for those who choose to buy from a breeder, the charity urges that they do the checks and ask the right questions to ensure the puppy’s welfare.
Responsible breeders should be able to show prospective owners a local authority contract, and be happy to answer any questions. They will be able to arrange viewings of the puppy’s mother and siblings, in the place they were raised, to demonstrate they have been kept in good conditions.
The RSPCA recommends using the Puppy Contract tool to support the purchase of happy and healthy puppies. The tool also helps identify rogue dealers, and provides a checklist that ensures the breeder is working correctly.
Herchy Boal, an RSPCA inspector and performing animal expert, said: "Too often, unscrupulous breeders disregard the welfare of pups all to make a quick buck - and dogs pay the price.
“That's why it's so important that Coronation Street has focussed on this important storyline - demonstrating the lengths underground breeders can go to make money, and the impact on the dogs and owners involved.”
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A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.
