Large-scale breeders, both importers and Flemish breeders, seem to be primarily motivated by financial gain rather than the welfare of the dogs and cats they breed.

1. Overbreeding and Neglect: the Unseen Costs of Large-Scale Breeding in Flanders

Large-scale breeders in Flanders, similar to importers, appear to prioritize financial gain over animal welfare.

The issue of overbreeding in large-scale facilities, especially of puppies (and kittens), is a significant problem. These establishments, which are legally allowed to house 500 adult dogs, including at least 400 females can produce an average of 1.5 litters each per year. This results in approximately 3,600 puppies being born per year, or 300 per month. Given that puppies are only sold after two months, at any given time, there can be up to 600 puppies and 500 adult dogs in the facility. Despite this high number, these facilities often only have a minimum of ten permanent employees to care for the animals seven days a week. This leads to a lack of quality upbringing for the animals, insufficient care, and attention. As a result, the problem of animal welfare in shelters and the pet trade is exacerbated.[1]

Furthermore, these puppies (and kittens), bred in substandard conditions, are rapidly sold from clean kennels, creating a false impression of their upbringing. The true conditions of their upbringing become evident when illnesses caused by inadequate vaccinations and unsanitary conditions surface after the sale. Due to their rushed upbringing, puppies (and kittens) are commonly undersocialized, leading to behavioral issues that can be challenging to correct. As a result, many owners surrender these animals to shelters, passing the burden of rehabilitation onto others, while the breeders profit. This practice by large-scale breeders results in an influx of sick and poorly socialized animals in shelters, a decline in animal welfare, and leaves shelters and unsuspecting owners to deal with the consequences.

2. Detrimental Impacts of Poor Breeding Practices in Animal Imports

A significant portion, about one third, of puppies originate from barns in Eastern European (primarily in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia), Russia, and Belarus. The breeding conditions in these regions often fall short of the welfare standards established in Flanders. [2] While the Flemish authorities have implemented a ‘whitelist’ system to verify the welfare of animals from import breeders, those working in the field have little confidence in its effectiveness. They view it as a basic list that encompasses a collection of foreign animal collection centers supposedly under government supervision. The skepticism about the degree and efficacy of this supervision is considerable, leading to a sentiment that the system should perhaps be abolished.[3]

After birth, the animals are transported to collection centers and then crammed into small cages for transport, enduring long, stressful journeys to Flanders.

Once in Flanders, the puppies (and kittens) are quickly sold from clean kennels, misleading buyers from their upbringing. The neglected care from breeders becomes evident when illnesses and behavioral issues, [4] caused by inadequate vaccinations [5] and unsanitary conditions, emerge after purchase.

Furthermore, puppies (and kittens) are often insufficiently socialized due to their rushed upbringing, leading to behavioral issues that can be difficult to correct. As a result, many owners [6] surrender these animals to shelters, shifting the burden of rehabilitation onto others, while the breeders walk away with their profits.[7]

Moreover, animals bred outside of Flanders often fall short of Flemish welfare standards.[8] Foreign shelters frequently overlook key animal welfare factors. the Flemish rules regarding minimum separation age from the mother, yearly litter limits for mother animals, and specific requirements on adequate staffing and outdoor access do not apply to these shelters.

This situation indicates that many large-scale dog and cat breeders prioritize profits over animal welfare, leading to an increase in sick and poorly socialized animals in shelters, declining animal welfare, and unsuspecting owners left to handle the aftermath.

3. Problems and Policies in Foreign Rescue Dog and Cat Importation

There are challenges associated with the importation of foreign rescue dogs (and cats) due to the absence of a comprehensive legal framework and instances of unprofessionalism among some rescue organizations. While the purpose of these organizations is to aid animals, thorough screening processes are crucial. Additionally, the existence of malicious individuals or organizations, primarily driven by profit, cannot be ignored.[9]

Some animal protection organizations are not in favor of importing foreign dogs (and cats), as it is believed this merely shifts the problem and local adoption would be a more cost-effective solution.[10]

However, the Flemish Animal Welfare Code grants the Flemish Government the authority to set welfare standards for the importation of animals intended for adoption. This includes stipulations related to registration, details about the animal, information on the adopter, transportation, and the adoption process itself.[11]

Strategies for Ethical Breeding and Pet Adoption

To promote ethical practices in pet adoption and breeding, here are eight strategies we recommend:

1. Encourage adoption over shopping, promoting platforms and websites that include animals in shelters. This will help reduce the number of animals in shelters.
2. Only permit good breeders to trade dogs and cats, as defined by guidelines. [12] This will ensure animals are bred and sold under appropriate conditions.
3. Breeders should only start breeding if they have sufficient requests for animals. This will prevent overbreeding and ensure that every animal has a potential home. [13]
4. Establish a maximum limit on the number of dogs or cats that can be bred in a breeding facility. While facilities may be operating within the law, some house more than 500 adult dogs for breeding. This clearly compromises the quality of breeding and often results in the production of fearful dogs.[14]
5. Permitting dogs and cats to reproduce within their home environment, alongside their human and animal family, could enrich their social bonds and lessen the need for breeders. This practice should be regulated to ensure every offspring secures a suitable home and prevent an increase in neglected pets.
6. Enforce a prohibition on breeding, keeping, and trading of cat and dog breeds with hereditary disorders and hypertypes. This will improve the genetic health of the animals.
7. Implement legislative work prohibiting importing pups and kittens from breeders abroad. This could significantly reduce the amount of animals subjected to harsh conditions during transportation and will also help control the population of animals in local shelters.
8. Implement specific rules and a legal framework for foreign rescue organizations and the import of rescue dogs and cats. This will ensure only professional and legitimate organizations can operate.

Impact if the Optimal Reality is realized:

499 Animals

266 dogs

233 cats

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In  the year 2022, registrations in Cat and Dog ID in Flanders accounted for 97,000 dogs and 85,000 cats. Every year, an estimated 30,000 dogs and 2,000 cats are brought into Flanders from abroad. As a result, on a daily basis, 499 animals (comprising of 266 dogs and 233 cats) are subjected to trading and its effects. These dealings are often conducted through large-scale breeders of dogs and cats.[15]