PETA releases: Sailing animals sold in Belgian Puppyshops – Germany is important transitland
Bratislava/Brussels/Stuttgart. Trading with dog puppies flourishes in the European Union. In Germany, not only many of the animals are bought, the Federal Republic also plays an important role as a transit country. A new PETA research reveals how dogs are increased under animal welfare conditions to masses in the “Larus” breeding in Slovakia. From here, puppies via Germany to Belgium are delivered in at least three large so -called Puppyshops. German customers also always buy there. The research documents, among other things, how parent animals are kept in isolation in bays. It shows suffering dogs with behavioral problems and small puppies, some of which are on their own in boxes. The uncoveration draws a clear picture of how with puppies is as if they are goods and not individuals. PETA appeals to all people to never buy animals from a breeder or online, but always to adopt from an animal shelter.
“The terrifying images from Slovak puppy breeding are an example of how it is in countless companies. The dog business is all about profit. The animals are treated like insensitive goods,” said Jana Hoger, animal psychologist and specialist for animal roommates at PETA. “It is not uncommon for this to arise from such rearing and such handling of the animal babies lifelong physical, but also psychological problems. Animals should never be bought, but should always be adopted from the shelter!”
The research shows that Larus demonstrably provided at least three Puppyshops in Belgium with puppies. Between 2021 and 2023, the Slovakian company made over 1,042,000 euros in net sales with rearing and selling puppies (1). Between January and August 2023, over 380 puppies were delivered to the three PETA known buyers.
Puppies suffer physically and mentally
On Peta's recordings, countless dogs can be seen in small crops, often isolated and housed without any employment – including pregnant bitches. Most puppies are already separated from their mothers. In the pictures it can be clearly seen in which sad experiences the animals start in their lives. Not only because of the often early separation, but also because they do not know what suddenly happens to them. They are born in dark compartments and sent on long trips without ever getting to know environmental influences or having seen the daylight beforehand. The transports over more than a thousand kilometers can lead to the dogs suffering not only physically, but also mentally for a lifetime.
Puppy trade in the EU:
Covering site Belgium, Germany important transitland
According to a PETA evaluation, over 15,000 puppies were offered on the four largest online portals in Germany alone in July 2025. The European Commission estimates that 438,004 dogs are offered for sale on the main internet platforms in Europe every day (2). Belgium plays a central role in the international dog trade because the country is geographically cheap and is therefore considered an important transshipment point for transport from Eastern Europe. The destinations are Germany, France and the Netherlands. The dogs from Eastern Europe are often sold as Belgian breeds. Puppies are also often offered in Puppyshops for sale. In these shops there are mass dogs that sit behind plastic or glass walls without a mother animal. The future owners usually do not find out where the animal children come from. German customers can also be found in the companies close to the border. As part of the PETA research, buyers could be found by dogs that came from the Slovak breeding and were sold in Belgium.
Animals are not goods
Peta draws attention to the problematic situation of overcrowded animal shelters: animals are not goods and thousands of dogs are currently waiting for a loving home in local animal shelters. The organization always advises people to adopt a dog instead of buying animal roommates from such sales facilities.
Sources
(1) Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic: Larus Sro – CIN: 35699761 – TIN: 202031117 – Financial Statements and Annual Reports – Economic Results | Regis ter uz .sk. Can be called up online at: https: // www .regis ter uz .sk/c r u z-p u b l i c/d o m a i n/a c c o u n t i n t i t y/s h o w/6 8 4 151. (25.8.2025).
(2) EU Dog & Cat Alliance, Online Pet Advertising in the EU: The Cost Continues to Rise. Can be called up online at: https: // www .dogan dcat wel fa re .u/m e d i a/p u b l i c a t i o n t e m p/e u p a g _ r e p o r t _ f i n a l _ l o w _ 4 z 4 y 1 8 b. Pdf. (25.8.2025).
Photos: © PETA Germany