28/09/2020
PANDEMIC PUPPY PURCHASE:
Leo is a 5.5 months old labrador. He was purchased from a backyard breeder during the pandemic. Something we are noticing to be on the rise.
Leo was surrendered to us on the 24th of September because his owners could no longer care for him. He is an impulsive purchase. They thought they will be able to give him the time and attention during the "stay at home order" but soon realised what it takes to raise a puppy.
We repeatedly asked the family if he has any medical issues/skin infection (which was slightly noticeable even in the photos) they kept saying that he is absolutely healthy. We doubt if people like these would even know enough to recognise distress signals or health concerns.
Leo has skin infection and hair loss patches in multiple places. He is quite unhealthy and easily scared by even a tiny pebble. He feels this way because he is insecure and was not socialized properly. Again, we doubt if the family understands the importance of it at all.
After observing him for 2 days, we took him to the vet today to get his skin checked. He has been started on medications for his skin infection.
A SINCERE REQUEST TO PEOPLE WANTING PETS: stop buying puppies during pandemic or otherwise. These are actual living things, not some toys you can chuck out if you're bored with it. This sort of abandonment takes a special kind of heartlessness that only humans possess.
Impulsive purchases like Leo, often end up as an "experiment gone wrong," and becomes yet another homeless animal.
As if there aren't enough dogs waiting to be adopted, these shameful, inhuman practices contribute to so many abandonment and horror stories. With every such act, there are 100s of abandoned animals and a flourishing breeding industry who torture animals to keep giving litters. Just to cater to the whimsical demands of your bored child alone at home during pandemic.
Please do not go buy yourself a puppy without giving this a great deal of a thought. Just don't do it. Animals are not toys. You will never do this to a human baby, maybe try to excercise atleast half the amount of morality when it comes to animals too.
