Dr Anne Fawcett: Puppies sold online are not always vaccinated, microchipped or wormed

PUPPIES sold or rehomed via online websites aren’t always vaccinated, wormed or microchipped as claimed by the website, Dr Anne Fawcett has warned. This puts the puppy’s life at risk.

Not all websites tell the truth about worming, vaccinating and microchipping puppies. Picture: Tara Croser

I’VE recently treated a number of puppies rehomed via websites and there are some things that new owners should be aware of.

While these websites have guidelines and policies stating that all puppies should be vaccinated and, as required by law, microchipped, this isn’t happening in all cases.

It is the responsibility of the breeder or owner to ensure that all puppies are vaccinated for parvovirus, distemper virus and hepatitis virus.

Under the NSW Companion Animals Act, puppies should be microchipped by 12 weeks or before they are sold. Puppies should also be treated for intestinal worms, and provided with a good quality puppy diet.

If a breeder advertises a dog on a website and the dog is not vaccinated, microchipped or properly cared for, it is important to report that advertisement to the website administrator.

All puppies deserve a healthy start to life. Failure to provide for their basic health care needs puts their health – and lives – at risk. It is also unfair to new puppy owners who may need to spend thousands of dollars to treat a severe case of parvovirus.

The Australian Veterinary Association recognises this is a problem and has developed a policy you can view online.

Dr Anne Fawcett is a lecturer in veterinary science at the University of Sydney and a vet at Sydney Animal Hospitals Inner West.

Read her blog: smallanimaltalk.com

Watch these adorable pups compete for food