Breeder gives up 21 golden retriever pups to B.C. SPCA

The B.C. SPCA has 21 young golden retrievers, recently handed over by an overwhelmed Quesnel breeder.

The animal welfare agency is no stranger to putting dogs seized from a breeder up for adoption, but this time, they were given up willingly, according to a B.C. SPCA news release.

The breeder had too many dogs amid waning pet demand since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The individual did the right thing for the dogs by reaching out to us so that we could find new, loving homes for them,” Eileen Drever with the BC SPCA said in the release.

The dogs, including 17 puppies, all appear healthy and were moved to various SPCA locations in the province for eventual adoption, but they aren't ready yet.

They will each have be examined to ensure they're healthy before being up for adoption.

The news release didn't say which SPCA centres they will be sent to, but did note large influxes of animals, either seized or given up willingly, is difficult on staff and employees.

“We always want people to contact us if they need help, but the surge in large-scale intakes is definitely putting a strain on our resources," Drever said. “This places pressure not only on the staff and resources in our facilities, but on our network of foster families, who help us care for these animals.”

More information can be found on the B.C. SPCA website here.

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