Picking up puppy - tier 4

[Poniesbest]

Hi, we are expecting to pick up our puppy shortly- but are now in tier 4. Breeder is in tier 2. Am pretty sure I’m not allowed to travel but breeder seems a bit unkeen on my solution of a dog transport company. They mentioned they thought puppies were livestock for these purposes. Whilst I’d have liked to have been there in person the company has great reviews and I think the rules are clear. Also it’s too far to go there and back in one day - but hotels won’t want us. Is there any guidance I can send to the breeder to explain it’s not okay for me to travel?

"Breeders and rescue centres should make arrangements to deliver your pet to you when it is ready to be rehomed. Where this is not possible, and it is reasonably necessary for the pet’s welfare, you may collect the animal. You may collect your pet by appointment only." www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals#buying-or-adopting-a-pet

That was the advice, but there is no exception for collecting animals in the tier 4 guidance.

How old will the pup be? If they keep him/her for 2 weeks longer, things may be calmer regarding logistics. Nothing is easy over Christmas & New Year when tier 4 has just been announced.

How would using a dog transport company be any safer? They would still be going between tiers?

Just go and pick your puppy up!

How far is it actually? Is it possible to do in 1 day

It’s a 4.5 hour drive each way. I cannot stay in a hotel in all good conscience (even if they let me which I doubt). It is non essential travel according to the first lock down (which I assume still stands now). Police are checking the motorways and given previous newspaper coverage about how awful people were (and breaking rules) to pick up a puppy during lockdown I’m not keen. Dog transport company is different - it’s their work and that is permitted

If there is 2 of you,1 do the drive there and 1 do the drive back. Why did you pick a puppy that is so far away from you, especially this year?

When it was time for us to collect our puppy, nothing would have stopped me going to collect him

Not sure how - go and pick the pup up marries with - do not leave tier 4 unless for very limited reasons (which do not include this). Not trying not to pick the pup up, but like in the first lockdown alternative to normal arrangements may need to be made. They were planning on a very socially distanced handover in any event - i am struggling to see why it would be such an issue. We will need to stop for food and fuel
At a minimum thereby potentially spreading and not in the rules

I, like most of the population, did not know when I went on the breeders list in January that tier 4 would be introduced. Whilst I would love to be the one picking up, I am not planning on breaking the law to do so.

You surely weren't planning on staying overnight in a hotel with a puppy on its first night anyway? If there are 2 of you, can't you share the driving? I don't have a dog but even I can see many flaws in your plan pre tier 4. Can a v young puppy stay in a car for 4.5 hours without a break??

Yep but you could drive, stay over night , pick up the pup and drive back the next day @Superstardjs ...? And seriously @Lazypuppy people go all over the place for puppies. Especially if you want to be certain of the breeder.

You say breeder is ' not keen' but we are in exceptional circumstances. Are the puppy transport people really spot on with their handling?

No, I was originally planning on driving up and staying overnight before picking up the puppy and bringing him straight home. I checked with the breeder and vet friends when we went on the list and they said the journey length would be fine one way and we had a safe place to stop arranged to stretch legs and wee etc. In the same way that defra approved and rspca approved dog transporters travel puppies for more than 4.5 hours. And in the same way many of those caught in the first lockdown had to use dog transporters. The companies I contacted when the numbers were first going up in December were all happy to do it and they are all used by the rspca etc for puppies. So I assume it meets their guidelines as to acceptability.

@sunglassesonthetable - yes that is what we had planned to do. But no hotel will
Allow us to stay now (understandably). Company is highly rated and used by several big places so has credentials. I think the breeder just thinks it’s all fine to do, although they are very keen on social distancing at their place (which is right), just finding it hard to make them understand that this is
Exceptional circs. I would love nothing more than to pick him up, we have been waiting a long time for him. But I do not want to break the law or spread the disease

And my DH is a keyworker - originally he was going to come to share the driving. He cannot now due to pressures of work (again, not anticipated back in January!)

really no one could have predicted all this a few months ago. Let alone in January. it was a silly comment of @Lazypuppy .

We are we are.

Is the breeder offering to keep the pup longer?

'We are where we are'

I know people travel for breeders, i travelled 2hrs for my dog, 4.5 is a very long way imo.

Also, op didnt say she started process in janury, my experience was 6 months from going on waiting list to getting pupoy hence i thought they had started process in the pandemic, so thought picking a closer breeder made more sense to me

@sunglassesonthetable - no, they are just saying it’s fine for you to come and pick him up, so that’s what they’d prefer. They are well regarded breeders - I don’t think they are being difficult but I don’t think they fully understand the reality of being in tier 4. Feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I am not planning on breaking the rules - and thought I had sorted out an acceptable and law abiding alternative. I hope the kennel club come out with clear guidance as to what exactly is permitted so I have some
certainty - either that it is permitted (which is not my reading of the rules) or clearly saying it’s not so I can explain why it’s not an option.

Ironically we are first time dog owners - which they know and are fine with. So the dog transport company are way ahead from us in terms of experience!

I would email the KC. Just get it straight one way or another.

@sunglassesonthetable - will do, thank you - I hadn’t thought of that but that’s a great idea! Will let you all know what they say as doubt we will be the only ones needing to cross tiers to pick up!

Have you already met the puppy and breeder? And been matched by the breeder with the right puppy for your circumstances?
Or have you just seen a litter online and are being given a random pup without the breeder meeting you?
If the latter. Steer clear. They are in it for the money and may well be backyard breeders or puppy farm.

Good Luck. Bear in mind the KC might say it is acceptable. Does that mean the breeders will only hand over the puppy if you come?

The 9hr drive on your own might be a problem in itself. That is up to each individual to decide for themselves. Not the breeders.

If that is going to be an issue regardless I'd spell it out to them.

Are you worried they might refuse to sell you the puppy in that circumstance?

"If the latter. Steer clear. They are in it for the money and may well be backyard breeders or puppy farm."

They'd probably be fine with any sort of pick up then wouldn't they?

I drove 4+ hours from SE London to South Wales and back again the same day to collect my pup. It was fine in terms of the drive.