Hundreds of labradoodles have been surrendered to the RSPCA after the largest puppy farm in Tasmania, which previously faced court charged with overbreeding offences, was shut down.
Tasmanian Labradoodles, operated by husband and wife duo Elizabeth and Paul Bartlett, was permanently closed on Friday following a lengthy legal battle with the RSPCA.
An out-of-court agreement was signed and as a result 250 labradoodles were placed into the care of the not-for-profit animal welfare organisation.
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RSPCA chief executive Andrea Dawkins said the farm’s closure was a historic win for animal welfare in Tasmania.
“We have been fighting to close Tasmania’s largest puppy farm for around three years, and we’ve finally succeeded,” she said.
Last year the Bartletts were charged with 70 offences relating to overbreeding which allegedly occurred between April 2021 and February 2023.
The charges were in relation to alleged breaches of section 19 of the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations, which states that a female dog must not have more than two litters in an 18-month period.
The pair faced court in August last year and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Because of the agreement, those charges will not be pursued.
Tasmanian Labradoodles is located in Epping Forest, a rural locality in the Northern Midlands of Tasmania.
The farm has been operating running for over 20 years, and on its website says its objective is to “produce the highest quality non-shedding, allergy-friendly labradoodles”.
Labradoodles are a cross between a labrador retriever and a standard or miniature poodle.
Dawkins said the RSPCA now needed “urgent financial help” to provide the dogs with the required vet care before they can be temporarily rehomed or adopted.
It’s expected this will cost about $1000 for each dog, she said.
“Many of these dogs have never been in contact with a human, they will need so much attention and care before they are ready to be part of a loving family with the life they so deserve,” she said.
“This is unprecedented, it is expensive, and the RSPCA needs your urgent help.
“We will also need foster homes and ultimately adoptions for every one of the 250 dogs.
“We’re asking Tasmanians to open their homes and hearts to these beautiful animals, that deserve a second chance at a loving life.”
Donation and foster details are available on RSPCA Tasmania’s website.
The Tasmanian branch of the Animal Justice Party congratulated RSPCA however said the state needed to implement laws to ban puppy farming.
“Laws need to be changed in Tasmania to stop this happening again,” it said.
“Our laws are slack, and allowed this huge farm to expand within the law, until the owners became even more greedy and authorities could act.
“We need to outlaw puppy farming in Tasmania.”