Avoid Internet puppy sales, says protection group

“A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” goes the well-worn, but still effective catch-phrase employed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals to remind the UK public about the seasonal deluge of abandoned and unwanted animals.

In Switzerland, and many other countries, the issue has been compounded by globalization, according to Mark Rissi, communications officer with Swiss Animal Protection, an umbrella group which represents 58 of the country’s protection associations and animal shelters.

“The biggest problem we face now is the purchase of puppies through the internet. It’s been going on for a couple of years and has become very easy. There are cute pictures and it’s much cheaper than in Switzerland,” he told Swisster.

Rissi said that the puppies sold over the Internet are generally produced by breeding factories in Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, and then smuggled over the border into Switzerland.

“Many of these animals are not socialised yet, in bad condition and often weaned too early. They get here by car. It’s a very lucrative business, if you transport 20 puppies at 1,000 francs each and you buy them at 30 euros . . . “

Although generally stricter than in other countries, Swiss laws governing the sale of animals should be beefed up, according to the SPA.

“There should be more laws because cats and dogs are not sold by pet shops which can be monitored, they are sold by traders and that’s want we want to eliminate,” said Rissi.

“It should be illegal to trade in puppies – it’s a loophole in the law. You can sell up to 20 puppies a year without a licence,” he added.

Meanwhile, the group and its cantonal chapters are mobilising for the next two months, a period which – although accurate statistics are unavailable in Switzerland – traditionally sees most animals abandoned (around 100,000 dogs end up in shelters every year).

According to the SPA, parents should generally avoid buying animals for their children at Christmas.

“Such a thing should not be a spontaneous action – you should read about the animal and how to care for it ahead of time, and the child should recognise the responsibilities. After all, on average, a dog lives for 15 years,” said Rissi.

Other animals – aside from cats and dogs are also victims of abandonment, many of which are ill-equipped for a life outside captivity.

“There are people who leave them in the woods, such as guinea pigs and rabbits which will not survive the winter, or become prey,” Rissi said.

While an animal, such as a guinea pig, is relatively cheap (around 100 francs), the cost of feeding and housing it can quickly mount up, warns the SPA.

The SPA and its shelters rely on volunteers and donations to carry out their work. According to Rissi, while the holiday period (and directly afterwards) is the most strenuous time, it’s also a period when the public is most generous towards the organization.

Programmes, including animal sponsorship, are also possible at shelters, where children can witness the care and responsibilities firsthand.

SPA dog care fact sheet

SPA cat care fact sheet