Animal welfare charity, Naturewatch Foundation, has been investigating the rise in canine fertility clinics. It estimates there’s been a ten-fold increase in clinics in the past two years, and the charity is now aware of at least 339 dog fertility businesses across the UK.
The Naturewatch Foundation charity wants to understand what veterinary professionals think about this new industry, and is running a short survey until 21 August 2022. Complete the survey and share it with your colleagues in the profession.
As many of you will know, canine fertility clinics are businesses that offer assisted reproduction services for dogs. They’re often operated by lay people, rather than veterinary professionals. Services offered typically include artificial insemination, progesterone testing, cytology and ultrasound scanning. Some offer other services such as whelping assistance.
There have been concerns about the seeming indiscriminate use of breeding procedures by some clinics, and about links to low welfare breeding operations. In some cases, fertility clinics have been found selling and administering prescription medicines and offering to perform operations.
The charity wants to know who you think should be permitted to perform commonly offered breeding procedures. It also wants to hear your thoughts about possible solutions.
Are canine fertility clinics inherently problematic? Or could canine fertility clinics – if operated ethically and regulated properly – bridge the gap between breeders and the veterinary profession? All views are welcome, and participants can answer anonymously if they wish.
Share your thoughts until 21 August 2022 on the website. The survey is open to vets, vet nurses and other professionals who work in veterinary practices in the UK.
