Since Schnauzerfest became a registered charity in 2019 a number of grants have been given to rescues which take in dogs from the breeding industry seized from, or handed over to the authorities by breeders. In such cases, as evidence is collected it can be difficult for rescues to publicise this work as to do so can interfere with potential prosecutions. Or, alert low welfare breeders who are being investigated, thus allowing them time to hide evidence, making it much harder to bring them to account.
The financial impact for rescues taking in dogs from seizures can be huge as the dogs come out of the breeding facilities in often shocking states of neglect. The veterinary work needed to stabilise their health is frequently complex and expensive. For those working responsibly with the authorities they are limited in what public appeals they can make at the time. The support of a Schnauzerfest grant during these times can literally be life saving.
The most recent case of Hope Rescue caring for 34 breeding dogs after they were handed over to Animal Licensing Wales has rightly brought attention from the schnauzer community. The vast majority of the dogs are not schnauzers. But we are thankful that Schnauzerfest donors support the charity in offering help and understand the roots of Schnauzerfest lie firmly in addressing the multiple problems and cruelty of low welfare dog breeding, aka puppy farming.
As stories of dogs harmed in the breeding industry circulate, it’s common for people to express anger at the authorities for allowing it to happen. Calls for more laws to be passed are made, more tracking down of bad breeders, more exposure of them, more jailing. In the charged emotional space of social media comments the fact that Animal Licensing Wales is doing the job it was established to do is often lost.
Led by Animal Licensing Wales, Animal Welfare teams across Wales respond to intelligence calls about licensed and unlicensed breeders, investigating, inspecting and acting on their findings. Action includes, where appropriate, issuing Improvement Notices, seizing dogs and bringing prosecutions. Animal Licensing Wales has been recognised for the transformative role it is playing in enforcing animal welfare regulations across Wales.
While the current animal welfare crisis is terrible, and there is a lot that needs to be done to improve the lives of dogs everywhere, it is also worth recognising that without Animal Licensing Wales and the small number of responsible rescues which work with them, things would be an awful lot worse.