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The illegal puppy trade is characterised by animal cruelty and deceit. Every year, countless puppies are bred in deplorable conditions, taken away from their mothers too early and transported across Europe to be sold online.

The annual demand for puppies within the European Union is huge. Almost 6 million are needed with an estimated market value of €4,600,000,000. Research by FOUR PAWS found that 79% of the puppies needed to meet the annual demand come from unknown sources. The lack of traceability of animals allows unscrupulous dealers to illegally transport puppies across borders and advertise them on advertising sites or social media. These dealers face little risk of prosecution and their business thrives on ignorant consumers who fall for their tricks.

FOUR PAWS has released an important new report: ‘Billion Euro Industry - Why the EU must strengthen regulations to end the illegal puppy trade now’. This comprehensive overview of the puppy trade in the EU examines the scale of the problem across the Union, solutions and the value of the trade after an in-depth analysis of trends on market-leading dog advertising sites in 21 EU member states.

The European Union is currently working on a new regulation that could end the illegal puppy trade, and Four Paws is taking action to strengthen this law. ‘To really change anything, it is essential that MEPs strengthen the draft proposal for a new EU-wide regulation now, to ensure that every dog and cat is traceable, and only allow traceable animals on the market, including online,’ the animal rights organisation stressed in a press release.

(SR for Tagtik/Source: Four Paws/Illustration picture: Pixabay)