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    • 25 Aug, 2015

    The Truth About Puppy Breeding – Nugget, Sheba and Sally

    Earlier this year our Animal Welfare Officers found and removed 2 young dogs, Sheba and Nugget (pictured above), who were being used as breeding machines. Their owner was selling the puppies to pet shops as a money-making scheme. We also removed Sally, a 3 month old puppy that was the last of a litter that was being sold off.

    Sheba & Nugget in van

    Nugget (left) and Sheba (right) when they first arrived at The Mayhew

    All 3 dogs were forced to live in poor conditions: they lived outside in all weathers with only very basic shelter provided and received no veterinary care. Pregnant dogs should be fed 5 times a day and once the litter is born they require regular meals and nutrition while nursing their young. In reality, Sheba, Nugget and little Sally had to compete with other dogs to get their food. Sheba had already given birth to two litters in her short life and if we hadn’t stepped in Sheba and Nugget would have been used to breed over and over again, and perhaps even Sally as well.

    sally and AJ

    Sally with AJ, our Animal Welfare Officer 

    As soon as the dogs arrived at The Mayhew, the vet team checked each of them thoroughly and arranged for them to be vaccinated and neutered. Sheba was in reasonably good health but, worryingly, they discovered lumps on Nugget’s mammary glands. The vets removed one of the lumps and took samples so they could investigate further and on examination found the masses were made up of the abnormal growth of mammary tissue cells. This condition is driven by sex hormones in unneutered dogs and, if left untreated, would eventually have developed into cancer. Luckily for Nugget, the remaining lump resolved on its own and once the vet team had neutered her, the amount of those hormones in her system was lowered and she will be unlikely to develop another mass in the future.

    Nugget3

    Nugget looking much healthier and happier

    Little Sally had sticky eyes, a chesty cough and generally looked quite poorly when she was collected. Luckily, she didn’t have a virus and her symptoms were most likely caused simply from living outside in such basic conditions. Once she was in our care and being looked after properly she rapidly got better.

    Sally with Maria

    Sally getting a cuddle from Maria, our Head of Kennels

    Sheba, Nugget and Sally had never had the luxury of a loving family environment and the happy, carefree life a dog should have. When we found them they were scared of humans and destined for a life of misery, mistreatment, hunger and basic conditions. Our Animal Welfare Officers brought them to The Mayhew where we showed them a different side of life – the one they each deserve – and we helped them build up their courage and confidence before looking for their new forever homes. All 3 dogs are now happily rehomed with loving families and are enjoying life.

    Sheba for web

    Sheba’s confidence quickly grew while at The Mayhew and she loved her daily walk to the park

    The Mayhew is completely against the indiscriminate trade in puppies and other young animals on the internet and via other media channels, as well as puppy mills and farms of all types. We believe much tighter regulation of breeders and the trade in animals is needed.

    Such breeders have little or no concern for the welfare of the dogs or puppies and no regard for who buys them. Puppies which end up for sale in pet shops and on the internet are frequently passed around, given up or abandoned, thereby increasing the already huge pressure on animal welfare organisations and shelters.  They can also be subject to abuse and neglect or used as breeding machines to produce litter after litter for profit. Puppies from such farms generally suffer with poor health and welfare which can lead to a range of underlying medical conditions and behavioural issues.  The Mayhew promotes the adoption of animals from reputable shelters and animal welfare organisations, full of animals desperate for a loving home.

    Find out about our dogs up for adoption and our team of Animal Welfare officers.

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