East Bay SPCA Says Backyard Dog Breeding Appears to be on the Rise

The  announced Friday that there has been an increased number of puppies coming into the shelter over the last few years.

Many puppies are suffering from malnutrition and neglect. Others have even contracted the deadly canine parvovirus.

Some are brought in by people who find them abandoned in parks or on the street, while others are left in boxes by the shelter doors.

“It appears that backyard breeding is on the rise,” said East Bay SPCA Executive Director Allison Lindquist.

“It is likely that some people are selling puppies to generate income during these difficult economic times," she said. "Unfortunately many of the pups making it to the shelter are in bad shape, which indicates an inability or lack of preparedness to care for these litters.”

Just this past Tuesday, the shelter took in three tiny puppies — one of which had already died. Because of its severe malnutrition, the shelter said it was difficult to identify the breed and age of the pups although they are estimated to be 6- to 7-week-old pit bulls.

It will take weeks of intensive care in a foster home to get these young pups healthy enough to be ready for adoption. 

In the last couple of years the number of dogs and cats landing in East Bay shelters has increased (30 percent more dogs and 5 percent more cats landing in shelters annually since 2007).

These numbers are likely the result of foreclosures, layoffs, costs of pet care, and a host of other, largely economic, factors.

“It is a tragedy all around,” says Lindquist. “These pit bull puppies likely have spent their short 5 weeks on this earth outside in the cold and rain. They became so sick they were probably deemed un-sellable, so they were dumped in a local park. There is no excuse not to spay or neuter your pet."

"The East Bay SPCA offers free spaying and neutering to all Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes to owners in Alameda and Contra Costa counties," Lindquist added. "We have affordable medical services, and for non-pits, we offer very affordable spay and neuter surgeries. And we offer discounts for those financially struggling.”

If you're looking to adopt a puppy, the shelter hopes you'll consider Angus and Giddeon (see photo), two pit bull puppies recently abandoned at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland.

They will be headed into foster care by this weekend to get the nourishment and care they need. 

For more information, please visit the East Bay SPCA’s website at www.eastbayspca.org or call 510-569-0702.