Inspectors from Animal Licensing Wales and police officers visited the Carmarthenshire rescue centre on Tuesday March 10 following complaints from pet owners and a former employee
An inquiry has been initiated into a Welsh animal rescue centre following concerns raised by pet owners regarding the treatment of dogs housed at the facility.
Animal Licensing Wales (ALW) inspectors, accompanied by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, visited Many Tears rescue centre in Cefneithin, Carmarthenshire on Tuesday, March 10 in response to allegations of misconduct. A representative for ALW confirmed that an investigation is underway. A spokesperson for Many Tears insisted they treat their animals “exceptionally” and are “working closely” with the authorities.
It’s understood that no animals have been removed from the premises, which continues to operate as usual. The ALW-led investigation was triggered by complaints lodged by several individuals who have rescued animals from Many Tears, as well as a former employee, reports Wales Online.
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Some of the accusations involve puppies allegedly being transported from Irish puppy farms to Fishguard for rehoming and subsequent sale by the rescue.
WalesOnline understands some of the allegations focus on vaccines not being refrigerated, puppies not being separated during transit from Fishguard to the rescue in Cefneithin, and mass production of vaccination cards.
Claims have also emerged suggesting certain dogs were placed in new homes without full disclosure of existing health issues, raising doubts about the reliability of medical documentation and pre-adoption assessments, alongside worries regarding how animals were paired with prospective owners.
A spokesperson for Many Tears stated: “On Tuesday, March 10, representatives of Animal Licensing Wales visited the rescue to retrieve paperwork and records. No animals were removed from the premises during the visit and no concerns were raised about the condition or care of the animals on site.
“We are proud of the exceptional care our kennel staff provide, and our facilities ensure that our animals have enrichment and rehabilitation activities so that they thrive in our care. We are working closely with the authorities to ensure they have everything they need to complete the investigation process.”
Addressing the accusations concerning animal transportation to their facility, a spokesperson commented: “Many Tears rescues and rehomes from several large breeding establishments, some of which are in Ireland, to offer ex-breeding dogs the chance to have a loving forever home.
“We also take some unsold puppies who have reached an age where they are no longer desirable to the public. We are entirely open about this activity and this information is available in the FAQ part of our website. Our vans are fully inspected and licensed for the transport of dogs and puppies. The puppies are transported in a separate part of the transport van to the adult dogs.
“We take our responsibilities as an established and reputable animal rescue charity extremely seriously and strive to uphold the highest standards across everything we do. Therefore, we take these allegations regarding vaccination cards and the storage of vaccines extremely seriously and are currently investigating these claims. “
Animal Licensing Wales, set up by the Welsh Government in 2020 to oversee animal activities, combat unlawful breeding and prosecute culprits, stated it was unable to provide further comment due to the ongoing investigation.
