The breeding and sale of companion animals including dogs, cats and rabbits is associated with significant welfare problems, from poor conditions in puppy mills to uninformed purchase decisions that lead to welfare failures in ownership.
Pet breeding and sales welfare is compromised throughout the supply chain in many cases. Breeding bitches in puppy mills produce multiple litters per year under conditions of chronic stress and inadequate veterinary care. Puppies separated from their mothers too early fail to develop appropriate social skills. Online sales platforms enable third-party dealers to distance themselves from the breeding conditions of animals they sell. The Lucy Law represents an important reform but enforcement requires resources that are not always available. Prospective owners who purchase from rescue centres rather than breeders or pet shops remove demand from the commercial breeding sector and provide homes for animals who already exist.