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The first time that I heard the words "Dog Auction", I couldn't believe my ears. I should have known better - after all, when puppy farming first started in the UK it was on the advice of officials of the government of the day, and was an attempt to encourage farmers to diversify from conventional and traditional farming methods. So perhaps the sale of dogs at auction should not have come as too much of a surprise.
Anyway, that auction took place in Wheaton, Missouri, USA on Saturday 17th February 2001 when 327 dogs were auctioned. An extract from the sale flyer said "A few Championship pedigree puppies will be offered at sale date (Ex. King Charles from England)". Wait a minute - this is my breed - this can't be happening to Charlies; I could not believe what I was reading. Furthermore, an International Champion 4 year old male Papillon from Canada (I do have the name of the dog) was also auctioned in the same sale, and it was the boast of the auctioneer that 90% of the dogs were 2 years old or younger.
Many people have said to me that to line the pockets of the puppy millers and auctioneers is wrong. But there are many people who think, like I do, that to get even one bitch or one dog out of the cycle stops many puppies being produced. This in turn stops them being used as breeding machines. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Whilst I realize that the vast majority of people will say, "well its not our problem" or "but its over in America there is nothing we can do". Let me tell you yes it is our problem and yes there is something we can do. For anyone who has exported a dog/bitch the worry is what will happen when it has finished its show or breeding days. Can you really be so sure that it will be looked after in its old age and not passed on to one of these shocking establishments? Do you know what happens to the puppies they produce? Even though its against the law, many of the dogs sold at auction in America are less than 2 months old …!
In the days leading up to the auction many e-mails and promises were exchanged, and we managed to buy one of the 15 KCS/ETS dogs sold at auction on that day. The lady who purchased the Charlie boy on our behalf paid her own hotel bill, petrol and expenses and has even offered to pay all his vet's bills and rehome him. She is a very kind lady who was prepared to take so much on her shoulders. I am sure that all those of you hoping for a happy ending to this sorry affair will wish her many thanks and a happy life to repay her generosity.
When I first started in Charlie Rescue some 15-16 years ago I was determined to rid the puppy farms of all their stock of Charlies regardless of the personal and financial cost. Many people condemned me for thinking this way - and some even tried to get rid of me. Well ... I am still here and to my knowledge there are NO Charlies left in puppy farms in Great Britain. We are but a few at the moment, but I am sure that there are others who will join us and please never forget - THE CHARLIES WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL to those of you who stand and say "THIS IS NOT RIGHT"
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