Since January, our refuge has seen an influx of puppies and young dogs bought in pet shops, as well as an increasing number of pedigree cats abandoned shortly after purchase.

Their owners are often ill-informed and realise too late that an animal requires time, patience and commitment.

Which dogs do we find?

Labradors, jack russells, foxes, pugs, schippers, spitzes, bichons, Australian shepherds, French bulldogs, beagles, shiba inu… Popular breeds, often sold young, without any real information about their needs, and abandoned a few months later. When they arrive at the refuge, they are all around 1 year old.

Examples: Rocky, a Japanese spitz, abandoned because his beautiful coat required too much care. Havila, a French bulldog, bought impulsively by chance outside a restaurant and not fed enough for fear of seeing him put on weight after neutering. Fix, a young jack, abandoned because he was fearful and not socialised enough. The list goes on!

And what about cats?

Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, British, Oriental… breeds prized for their appearance, but abandoned as soon as their character or specific needs become a constraint. Dolly, a Persian cat, arrived with an unkempt coat. The result: tight, painful tangles that can cause skin infections if left untreated.

Behind these abandonments: a system based on profit

Pet shops and some multi-breed farms sell animals as commodities.

  • Imported en masse from intensive breeding farms (often in Eastern Europe), where conditions are deplorable: forced reproduction, lack of socialisation, health problems.
  • Separated too early from their mothers, leading to behavioural problems (fear, anxiety, destruction, uncleanliness, etc.).
  • No serious selection of ‘adopters/clients’: they sell to the first person they meet, without making sure that they are really ready to take in an animal for life.
  • Fashionable puppies and kittens, but little-known needs

Australian Shepherds, Beagles, Labradors and Jack Russells are very active breeds that require a great deal of mental and physical stimulation. Without this, they develop problematic behaviour.
Persian and British cats are very beautiful but demanding to look after, requiring regular brushing and special care.


How can this be avoided?

  • Find out about your animal’s behaviour, needs and constraints BEFORE you adopt it.
  • Don’t give in to impulse buying.
  • Favour responsible adoption and serious breeders.

  • The Veeweyde team