Don’t get Petfished: Vets and celebrities led public warnings against ‘cruel and opportunist’ lockdown pet sellers
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Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities including Kirsty
Gallacher, Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady and David Gandy call for
public to ‘research pet sellers thoroughly online before buying’
Prospective puppy and kitten owners warned of risks of
being ‘Petfished’ when buying a pet online following lockdown
demand surge Concerns over anticipated spike in online pet
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Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities have joined forces with a government campaign to warn prospective pet owners against unknowingly buying puppies, kittens, cats and dogs from unscrupulous sellers amid a rise in demand for pets since lockdown.
An open letter, signed by celebrities including Kirsty Gallacher, Paul O’Grady, Amanda Holden and David Gandy, and supported by charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, is calling on the public to research sellers thoroughly online before buying.
These warnings follow continued demand for pets since lockdown eased, with online marketplace Preloved reporting that the number of pet listing has increased by nearly 50% since March. They are anticipating a further boom in adverts throughout the summer.
Pets4Homes has also said that they are experiencing not only a six-fold increase in new user accounts, but an average of 155 views per new pet advert. Both Preloved and Pets4Homes are supporting the government’s Petfished campaign, which urges people to stop and ask: ‘Who’s the person behind the pet?’.
Despite a huge 125% increase in adverts posted across online marketplaces during lockdown for puppies, kittens, dogs and cats, demand continues to outstrip supply. However, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has advised that vets are dealing with ongoing cases where owners have been sold sick puppies and kittens by unscrupulous dealers as a result of new owners not researching sellers before buying their new pet.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:
“Prospective pet owners must beware of sinister sellers out there who breed animals purely for profit with zero concern for their welfare. The devastating consequences include crippling vet bills and, in the worst cases, animals having to be put down.
“It’s vitally important that people not only research the breed of animal they want but also the person selling it to them.” Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith said:
“At this time when more people are looking for pets it is more important than ever that buyers do their research and ensure they go to a reputable seller.
Following the introduction of Lucy’s Law earlier this year, everyone must now buy directly from breeders or consider adopting from rescue centres. So please look out for the warning signs and report any suspicious activity.” TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, who has two dogs, British bull dog Betsy and French bull dog Bertie, said:
“My dogs mean the world to me and pets bring joy to so many. It’s shocking to hear the lengths deceitful sellers go to when selling pets and sadly this can mean animals come from low-welfare conditions with distressing consequences.”
“As pet lovers, we should take responsibility by always researching the seller before buying a new pet to ensure our four legged friends live happy and healthy lives.”
The letter, also signed by former international rugby players Chris Robshaw and Sam Warburton, is part of the government’s ‘Petfished’ campaign - a play on ‘catfishing’, where a stranger creates a fictional online persona to lure someone into a relationship - deceitful pet sellers use a similar tactic to ‘Petfish’ unsuspecting buyers.
Following Lucy’s Law – meaning it is now illegal to sell a kitten or puppy you haven’t bred - the Petfished campaign calls for consumers to remain vigilant, always researching the seller before visiting, reporting suspicious adverts and crucially be prepared to walk away and report suspected cases of animal abuse to the RSCPA or, if witnesses, the police.
British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) President Ian Ramsey said:
“Vets are continuing to see many owners who have been sold very sick puppies by unscrupulous dealers simply because new owners have not researched the seller before buying their pet.
“As a result, vets see first-hand the distress and upset this can cause owners. We would urge anyone thinking of buying a puppy or kitten to check their pet is coming from a responsible seller before making a decision to buy.”
To avoid being Petfished, the public are being urged to spot vital red flags when researching sellers, with the help of the acronym S.P.O.T:
Anyone looking to buy a pet can get tips and advice on the Petfished campaign website by searching ‘Get your pet safely’ or visiting getyourpetsafely.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
Supportive charity quotes Battersea’s Chief Executive, Claire Horton CBE, said:
“Battersea sadly knows all too well the pain caused by the cruel puppy trade – both the suffering endured by the animals involved and the heartbreak their new owners feel – as we and rescue centres across the country are forced to pick up the pieces.
“We know nobody buys a pet with the intention of hurting an animal but purchasing puppies and kittens online often does just that. The pet they receive at the end of this buying chain may be incredibly unwell, underage for sale and under-socialised due to the conditions in which they were bred, leaving owners confused, distressed, disappointed and usually significantly out of pocket. “Battersea would encourage anyone looking for a new pet to think rescue first and to do significant research before buying. For more advice on buying a puppy, visit Battersea's website.”
Cats Protection's Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS, said:
"Cats Protection very much welcome this campaign to raise awareness of the need for those buying kittens online to be aware that there are unscrupulous vendors selling kittens that are poorly socialised, sick and under the legal age for sale of eight weeks of age.”
“With kitten season upon us, and restrictions on movement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sellers are enticing buyers online with videos and pictures of kittens that may not even be the ones that they are offering to deliver. This plays into the hands of those who put money before the welfare of cats and kittens. It’s important to resist buying a kitten on impulse and we would urge any prospective owners to contact Cats Protection for advice and consider adopting one of the many cats and kittens in our care. If people do decide to buy, we would urge them to refer carefully to the kitten checklist."
Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, said:
"We might be in the midst of a pandemic, but devious sellers are still using every trick in the book to scam unsuspecting dog lovers. Buyers believe they are getting a healthy, happy dog but many of them suffer significant health conditions or lifelong behavioural challenges, and sadly some don’t survive, leaving their owners heartbroken. The costs can be huge, both emotionally and financially.
"Sadly, it’s all too easy to be Petfished. Ask lots of questions, and ask to see vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract. If you have any doubts or it feels too good to be true, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller."
Kennel Club’s Bill Lambert, Head of Health and Welfare said:
“It’s absolutely vital that puppy buyers know what to look for when it comes to sourcing their new best friend responsibly - especially at the moment - so they don’t get ‘Petfished’.
“We’re joining forces with all those who are desperate to put an end to this cruel practice and stop those rogue sellers, deceitful traders and unscrupulous breeders hiding behind a screen while cashing in on demand for puppies – often with tragic consequences.”
“Too many unsuspecting new owners are ending up with a very sick puppy, sky-high vets bills and total heartache. For anyone considering getting a puppy, please don’t make a decision without doing thorough research on the seller, as this really can cost.”
RSPCA’s special operations unit Inspector Kirsty Withnall said:
“Sadly there are lots of criminals and conmen willing to exploit the public even during difficult times when most sections of society are rallying together.
“Lockdown has led to an explosion in the pet market with more and more people searching for pets to keep them company; and that’s led to huge price hikes and people trying to capitalise on this pandemic, even at the expense of the animals.
“Every year, the RSPCA investigates thousands of reports of poorly bred puppies, sickly kittens, and gangs breeding and trafficking sick animals to sell onto unsuspecting members of the public.
“We’d urge the public to be extremely cautious if they’re looking for a new pet and urge them to consider adopting from a rescue centre. If you’re concerned about where your pet has come from please report it to our cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 so we can look into it.”
Royal Veterinary College’s Dr Dan O’Neill, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology said:
“The Royal Veterinary College urges anyone considering purchasing a puppy or kitten to prioritise and carefully consider the needs of the animal; who is selling it, where and how was it bred, the health of the parents and how socialised the pet has been. Only buy directly from the real breeder and ensure you use ‘The Puppy Contract’. Be patient and carefully research the seller to prevent being caught up in pet-trading scams that are currently leading to huge suffering for countless puppies and kittens as well as for unsuspecting owners.”
“Based on our substantial experience and research of the harms generated by some profit-hungry deceitful sellers of puppies and kitten, the RVC wholeheartedly supports the DEFRA Petfished Campaign and urges potential owners to always ask ‘who is the person behind the pet?’”
Full List of open letter signatories Amanda Holden – TV personality David Gandy - Model Cat Henstridge BVSc MRCVS – ‘Cat the Vet’ – celebrity vet Chris Robshaw – English Rugby Player Jamie Robinson – English Rugby Player Kirsty Gallacher – TV personality Paul O’ Grady – TV personality Rick Wakeman – Musician Sam Warburton – Welsh Rugby Player Christine Middlemiss – Chief Veterinary Officer Charity and animal welfare organisations Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Blue Cross Cats Protection Dogs Trust Kennel Club PDSA RSPCA Tech4Pets Veterinary Organisations Association of Charity Vets British Small Animal Veterinary Association British Veterinary Association Royal Veterinary College |