The RSPCA has called for licensing for all dog rescue organisations due to growing concerns over the risks from imported pets. Thousands of dogs enter the UK every year with many of them being sold through websites and social media posts with little if any matching processes or assessments.
A number of owners told the BBC they have had “serious difficulties” with dogs delivered to their door from abroad, including from Romania, Ukraine, and North Macedonia. These include aggressive behaviour and infectious diseases.
The process, according to RSPCA spokesperson David Bowles, is like “Deliveroo for dogs.” The charity is calling on the government to introduce stronger regulations. Rescue organisations in Scotland require a license but not those in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Secret recordings from a BBC investigation revealed that some rescues working via social media were “happy to provide a dog following a short phone call, completion of an application form, and a video check of their property,” the BBC said.
Analysis of over 100 adverts on Facebook and a major online pet marketplace show that the majority were offering dogs from Eastern European countries. Half of them suggested that dogs could be delivered to the owner’s home.
“Most are run by well-meaning dog lovers,” the BBC said, “following rules around transportation and importation paperwork. But the lack of preparation and vetting for owners receiving previously unseen dogs straight to their door is causing concern among experts who say there is no way people can know the temperament of the animals.”
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