Rise of illegal dog fertility clinics where IVF used to create designer breeds
Fake 'vets' at canine fertility 'clinics' are raking in huge profits after carrying out dangerous procedures including IVF to create designer dog breeds.
Illegal canine fertility 'clinics' are responsible for the huge increase in the numbers of venues carrying out involuntary insemination on dogs in the UK. Shocking new evidence found that there are at least 332 dog fertility clinics operating in the UK, compared to the 37 known clinics found by an investigation just three years earlier in 2020.
Sarah Carr, chief executive of the Naturewatch Foundation, which uncovered the data, is calling for tough new laws across the whole of the UK to clamp down on the problem. She said: "In terms of canine fertility clinics where they are lay people, the maximum fine for conviction is £100. There's no incentive not to do it if you think about a clinic whose performing caesarean sections and how much money they're bringing in."
The 'fake' vets are cropping up all over the UK (Getty Images)She told BelfastLive that the clinics are associated with "designer trends", with competition between them to breed the most "different traits" - for which they can charge a huge amount of money.
She added that many of the staff involved are untrained, but somehow still manage to 'dupe' members of the public into thinking their dogs are in safe hands. Currently in the UK, anyone can set themselves up as a 'canine fertility clinic' without any type of regulations.
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Canine fertility clinics offer a range of dog fertility and breeding services, from artificial insemination and ultrasound scanning to progesterone testing and semen extraction. While some non-invasive procedures can be carried out by unqualified people, all forms of artificial insemination and invasive acts involving intravenous blood sampling must only be carried out by a vet by law.
And the spike in fertility clinics can be linked to the pandemic puppy boom and the demand for designer dog breeds that shows no sign of lessening. The British Veterinary Association is also deeply concerned that many canine fertility clinics are being run without a vet’s oversight, with unqualified people carrying out veterinary procedures.
Many clinics are operating 'without vets' (Getty Images)BVA senior vice president Justine Shotton, said: “Figures from our latest survey are a stark reflection on our vets’ concerns around the boom in canine fertility clinics across the country. It is no coincidence that their rise over the past few years can be linked to unscrupulous individuals cashing in on the huge demand for certain fashionable puppy breeds, like French bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds, who can struggle to mate or give birth naturally and can suffer from a range of health problems.
“Rather than listen to sound veterinary advice around responsible breeding, these individuals are taking matters into their own hands, fuelling a potential animal welfare disaster. Anyone looking to breed their dog should always speak to their vet first. That’s because unsuspecting owners and breeders may not be aware that many canine fertility clinics are being run by people offering veterinary services without any qualifications."
Dr Shotton added that the numbers should serve as a 'wake up call' for urgent action after it was revealed that hundreds of fertility clinics are popping up all over the country with 'no veterinary oversight'. Clinics tend to focus on the most in-demand breeds such as French bulldogs, which can struggle to mate and whelp naturally.
The BVA is particularly concerned about artificial insemination being used in such cases, as well as in cases where dogs with inherited diseases and conformation-related issues are used for breeding. It has also been made aware of worrying reports that some fertility clinics are advertising prohibited or dangerous procedures such as surgical artificial insemination.”
Vets responding to BVA’s survey emphasised the need for stronger regulation of canine fertility clinics. Many vets also said that clinics should be inspected and given tough penalties if found to be operating outside the law.
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