Abort the import

In recent years, there has been a massive influx of dogs being brought over to the UK from other countries. While we care deeply for these animals and cannot bear to see them in terrible situations—struggling to survive on the streets or in unregulated breeding establishments and shelters—there are many concerning factors involved in solving this issue by bringing them over here to find homes. Currently, rescue operations are unregulated. Although we are calling for changes, many well-meaning individuals, as well as some who are less scrupulous, believe that simply relocating these dogs is the solution. It is not!

 

Behaviourally, things can often go very wrong with dogs imported from abroad. In some cases, these dogs have been kept in large packs in shelters, where they’ve had to fight for food. This leads to significant problems with resource guarding and aggression around food. They have literally had to fight to survive and compete for a comfy spot to lay down.

 

Additionally, dogs taken from the streets may be used to roaming freely. To confine them within four walls is completely alien, which can lead to anxious or nervous behaviour and potentially aggression as well. These dogs have not lived as pets; they are not familiar with the human expectation for them to be companions and may not be accustomed to love and affection. Often, humans misinterpret their need for comfort; what these dogs truly need is space and time to decompress. Children, in particular, can misunderstand this and inadvertently cause bites, as the dog may feel overwhelmed.

 

These dogs are often drastically under-socialised, having experienced nothing but the confines of a pound or shelter. They may never have seen the outside world or been walked on a lead. After travelling many miles to be "rescued," is it fair to put them through this experience?

 

Dogs are known to bolt the moment they arrive on what is referred to as the "happy bus." They are terrified from the journey they have just endured. There is often no connection or communication with the people they are now with, and their instinct is to escape the frightening situation they find themselves in. Tragically, this can lead to accidents, such as being hit by a car or a train.

 

It is a common misconception that it is easier to adopt a dog from abroad. Typically, there is no home check to ensure a safe environment, and there is little regard for the presence of vulnerable children in the home. Some unscrupulous so-called rescuers are primarily motivated by profit, rather than the welfare of the dog. This can result in dogs ending up in unsuitable homes, and when families eventually want to return them, the lack of support from foreign rescues can leave these dogs sitting in UK shelters, waiting for homes. This adds to the existing challenges faced by UK rescues and increases the trauma and stress that the dogs have already experienced, making them less adoptable. Sadly, in some cases, dogs are euthanized.

 

There have even been reports of dogs being returned to the countries they originated from, further compounding their trauma and often resulting in their being put down. Many of these dogs do not want to be pets and have no idea how to behave like one. Therefore, we believe that helping dogs in their native countries—through initiatives such as neutering campaigns—is a more effective solution. Yes, we want to help the dogs, but bringing them over here to make them pets is not always the answer.

 

Other countries recognise that we are a nation of animal lovers and often share pity posts asking for donations. We have evidence that some of this money does not go toward the dogs' welfare. Since the enforcement of Lucy’s Law to clamp down on puppy farming in the UK, unscrupulous breeders have adapted and moved their operations abroad. By rehoming a dog, you may not be saving a life; you could be perpetuating the cruel cycle of puppy farming from another country.

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- NIki Roe