It’s important that you undertake thorough research before introducing a puppy to your family. We hope you find the information below useful.
On 6th April 2020‘Lucy’s Law’ came into being. The Government introduced landmark new legislation to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies by banning their commercial third-party sale in England. Anyone wanting to get a new puppy in England must now buy direct from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead.
The Club’s own Rescue Trust re-homes and rescues retrievers and the contact details are on the Rescue page. Dog breeders are required to show puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth. If a business sells puppies without a licence, they could receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months.
The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm where she was subjected to terrible conditions. Puppy farms are located across the UK with most depending on third-party sellers or ‘dealers’ to distribute often sick, traumatised, unsocialised puppies which have been taken away from their mother at just a few weeks old.
This often involves long-distance transportation, with the puppy suffering life-threatening medical, surgical, or behavioural problems which are passed on to unsuspecting new owners. Lucy’s Law effectively removes the third-party dealer chain, resulting in all dog breeders becoming accountable for the first time.
As well as Lucy’s Law, the Government has committed to supporting tougher sentences for animal cruelty, raising maximum prison sentences from six months to five years, and has pledged to bring in new laws on animal sentience and to end excessively long journeys for live animals.
A useful reference point is the group ‘Golden Retrievers – Sourcing Reputable Breeders UK’, which guides people towards responsibly-bred litters from health-tested parents. Here’s a link to the group’s FB page:
NORTH WEST GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB 