Home > RSPCA campaigns > Puppy Factories

Puppy factories are large-scale, commercial businesses that produce puppies for sale. Puppies are churned out in large numbers to maximise profits for the breeders with little regard for the welfare of the animals or pet over-population.  The RSPCA is totally opposed to these types of commercial breeding premises and believes they should not be able to operate.

Inspectors have investigated alleged cruelty at puppy factories which use hundreds of dogs as breeding ‘machines’.  Some bitches are forced to have litters of puppies every six months. Under Victorian State law, bitches are only permitted to have one litter every 10 months.  Although the RSPCA is disgusted that these intensive breeding facilities continue to exist in Australia, they receive their licences to operate and are monitored through local councils.  Councils are responsible for investigating breaches of the licence and the RSPCA can only investigate a reported cruelty complaint.

The breeding dogs generally spend most of their lives in pens with very little social interaction or exercise.  Many of the puppies are sold through pet shops, the Internet, newspaper ads, or at the puppy factory itself. Some puppy factories actually operate the pet shops in addition to their breeding facility, where they then sell their puppies to the unsuspecting public.

Some of the problems associated with puppy factories include: over-breeding, in-breeding, minimal veterinary care, substandard housing conditions, high mortality rates for puppies, and puppies produced with health and/or behavioural problems. The intense breeding practices these puppy factories employ involve keeping animals in shocking conditions to breed continuously until they can no longer reproduce.  These poor animals are deprived of normal living conditions for a companion animal, living a life of confinement and deprivation.

The RSPCA is opposed to puppy factories and outraged that this intensive farming of companion animals continues. It is unfortunate that our Inspectors have no power to stop them operating.  However, there are legal requirements as to how these puppy factories should operate.  Council officers are the legal authority responsible for inspecting these operations to ensure compliance with the code of practice for breeding establishments. RSPCA Inspectors also conduct inspections when cruelty complaints are received.

The RSPCA continues to be very concerned about the codes of practice under which puppy factories operate. These codes of practice have very minimal standards and do not reflect what the RSPCA or community consider good animal welfare. The RSPCA will continue to lobby government to amend these laws and continues to keep a watchful eye on these cruel establishments.

If you or a friend are looking to adopt a puppy – do not support this
cruel industry. Many puppies that are sold through pet shops and newspapers are supplied by these puppy factories. Consider adopting your new puppy from the RSPCA,  other animal welfare shelters,  or adopt directly from a responsible breeder.

If you are aware of a puppy factory in your area, write to your local council members and ask them to revoke any permits that allow these establishments to operate. Voice your opposition today and help us change this appalling intensive breeding practice.