The RSPCA has revealed a massive 1,117 per cent increase in puppy farms over the last decade in Cornwall

The animal charity is urging families thinking of getting a puppy over the summer holidays to consider adopting a rescue pet.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Hens said: ‘It is distressing we are still seeing so many reports about puppy farms but part of this increase is probably due to people being more savvy about what to look out for when getting a pet.

‘We know there’s a spike in people searching for puppies and buying dogs at the beginning of the school holidays but we’d urge families to carefully consider whether getting a dog is right for them. Dogs are a huge commitment and need lots of time and attention, even once summer is over and the kids are back at school.

‘If you do have the time and money for a dog then we’d urge you to consider rescuing a dog instead of buying a puppy. Not only will this give a rescue dog a chance at finding his or her forever home but it will also save any potential heartache caused by unwittingly buying a dog from a puppy farm.’

The warning comes as new figures reveal that last year (2018) was the worst yet for complaints about the puppy trade in England to the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency hotline - it received 4,357 complaints