Furry friends: PAWS public relations officer Jonathan Yeoh with some of the abandoned deformed pedigree dogs. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
Responsible pet ownership starts with adopting from shelters or buying from ethical breeders
LATELY, the demand for pedigree dogs has led to an increase in sales by “backyard breeders”.
As the name implies, backyard breeders tend to breed animals under less-than-ideal conditions, often resorting to inbreeding the animals with little regard for the offspring’s propensity for genetic disorders.
Such breeders are usually motivated by profit, often treating the female dogs as puppy mills, without allowing enough recovery time between pregnancies.
Hence, there is an urgent need for those looking to acquire pet dogs to be mindful of how the puppies have been bred.
Because of the ethical issues in backyard breeding and the difficulty in evaluating the animals’ background, PAWS Animal Welfare Society public relations officer Jonathan Yeoh is calling for the public to adopt instead of purchasing pets.
He said inbreeding led to the animals developing illness and deformity.
This results in high medical costs and owners sometimes dump their pets because they are unable to afford the care, he said.
“Purebred dogs are often sought and if they are properly bred, each animal will cost thousands of ringgit.
Estrella (left) and SPCA kennel manager Erica Remington with some of the dogs that are ready for adoption. — LOW LAY PHON and MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
“Show-quality dogs can cost about RM10,000 as they come with a lot of certification and would be bred properly too.
“Backyard breeders take the easy way out and perform inbreeding.
“These dogs are kept in deplorable conditions and made to breed about three times a year.
“In some developed countries, the animal breeding process is regulated by law and these animals are only allowed to be bred once a year,” he added.
To identify reputable breeders, the public could contact the Malaysian Kennel Association, said Yeoh.
However, he said people should adopt from shelters if they were just looking for a dog, without having any breed preference.
“There are so many mongrels in animal shelters that are seeking a home,” he said.
There were also cases of deformed purebreds being dumped at the shelter too, he highlighted.
“We have some purebreds with three legs and they were dumped outside our shelter.
“We also had a poodle that was dumped, reclaimed and dumped again at our shelter.
“Imagine the trauma these dogs suffer from being abandoned.
Many mongrels in shelters are seeking a home.
“We raise them like our pets with a lot of care,” Yeoh added.
SPCA Selangor marketing communications officer Cozzane Estrella said there were numerous cases of puppies from backyard breeders that fell very ill.
They were sold for a handsome price and buyers were tricked into believing that they had been adequately vaccinated, she said.
“Backyard breeders’ dogs are prone to diseases, such as parvovirus which can cause death.
“We also hear that some sellers lie about the vaccinations and even give fake documentation as ‘proof’.
“Always check on the condition of the homes you are taking the animals from.
“See if the dogs are kept clean. Backyard breeders often keep these animals in filthy conditions,” said Estrella.
Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better director Irene Low said backyard breeders must be stopped and one way to do this was for the authorities to pass a regulation requiring all pet shops to obtain puppies from only legitimate, registered breeders.
All puppies must also come with certificates with details of the sire and dam, she said.
“We cannot stop people from buying breeds of their choice and we cannot demand for pedigree breeding to be stopped as that would be akin to wiping out the availability of pedigrees,” said Estrella.
“However, buyers must ensure that they are getting their pets from an ethical and registered breeder.
“They must be sure that the parents of the purchased pup are not related by blood.
Ideally, people who want a pet dog should adopt from shelters.
“This is crucial as inbred dogs come with many health issues.
“People see mongrels as ‘pests’ and this mindset must change,” she added.
Low said mongrels were smart and natural survivors.
“They are also very healthy most of their lives and this will save you money spent on vets.
“They are very loving and loyal and will always show you that they are grateful,” she said, in strongly advocating for adoption of mongrel dogs.
Malaysian Kennel Association president Ken Chuah said those interested in getting a purebred could contact the association for advice.
“We have a number of registered sellers and they are vetted.
“Get a breed that suits your lifestyle.
“If you live in a condominium, it is not advisable to get a Siberian Husky as they are active and being cooped up in an apartment would drive them insane.
“Also consider the coat type, too.
“If their hair gets long and unkempt, it will become matted or even result in skin problems.
“Always do your research before buying a purebred dog, and check with the association if you are unsure,” he said.
Adopting from rescuers
Those interested in adopting a mongrel can obtain one from animal shelters or non-profit animal-welfare organisations, said the NGOs.
There are also a number of independent animal rescuers.
The adoption process should be facilitated and there should be realistic expectations for adopters.
Yeoh said there had been cases of adopters who were harassed by animal rescuers.
“Sometimes, the adopters are harassed by the dogs’ rescuers to accept weekly visits after the adoption.
“Some adopters have been kind enough to adopt older dogs.
Yeoh calls for the public to adopt animals instead of buying them as there is difficulty in evaluating the animals’ background.
“The process shouldn’t be complicated or too expensive,” he said.
Yeoh said it was acceptable to ask an adopter to pay for spaying or neutering the animal.
He added that for dogs without any health issues, medical checks twice a year were sufficient.
Low said that when a dog was adopted from a shelter, it was to give a destitute dog a home and there should not be any expectations.
However, for the adoption of rescued dogs, the rescuers must be reimbursed only for the vaccinations and neutering fees.
“It is unfair for adopters to expect the rescuers to pay for all the vaccinations and neutering of their adopted pets.
“Reimbursing them would also allow them to rescue more dogs for rehoming.”
She said rescuers must not demand for money as they shouldn’t be seen as selling the dogs.
“Usually it is quite normal for rescuers to check out adopters.
“Two or three visits should suffice and rescuers must understand that not all adopters can afford extras for their pets,” Low added.
During the recent Selangor Budget 2024 debate, Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng highlighted the need for the government to intervene and make the Trap-Neuter-Release or Rehome (TNR) initiative a success.
“We know that the TNR programme is expensive and for this system to be effective, there is a need for the government to intervene,” she stressed.
She said Pakatan-Harapan-led states such as Penang and Negri Sembilan had been cooperating with animal-welfare groups to carry out the TNR and that it was time for Selangor to do the same.
Ng said Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had written to the veterinary clinic that worked with the local council, to implement the TNR soon.
