The RSPCA stated that the owners of Tasmanian Labradoodles could have faced a maximum penalty of **$273,000**, but an agreement was reached to shut down the business.

On Tuesday afternoon, RSPCA Tasmania posted on social media that they had 'now closed foster care applications and expressions of interest for adoptions and are utterly speechless from the outpouring of support.

' Following the closure of one of Tasmania's largest dog breeders, more than **250 labradoodles** have been surrendered to the RSPCA.

An out-of-court agreement was reached with Tasmanian Labradoodles last Friday, which included the immediate and permanent closure of the facility and the surrender of all its dogs.

Tasmanian Labradoodles had been operating for more than **10 years** on a **36-hectare property** at Epping Forest, south of Launceston.

A popular breeder in northern Tasmania has been charged with over-breeding its female dogs, with one dog allegedly having six litters in just under two years.

On its website, it states that the 'family business' are 'dedicated breeders of the highest-quality, multi-generation labradoodles.

' RSPCA chief executive officer Andrea Dawkins said it has been a three-year battle to try and shut down the breeder.

'The RSPCA needs urgent financial help to provide veterinary care, foster homes, and ultimately adoption for more than 250 labradoodles currently at the property,' she said.

'We expect it will cost at least **$1,000 per dog** to give them the vet checks, vaccinations, behavioral assistance, food, and temporary rehoming, and this is before we understand if any of the dogs have serious conditions that require further attention.

''We're asking Tasmanians to open their homes and hearts to these beautiful animals, that deserve a second chance at a loving life,' she said.

'This is an urgent callout to anyone who can donate to the RSPCA to help us give this critical care to hundreds of labradoodles.

No matter how small the donation, every dollar counts.

'On Tuesday, RSPCA Tasmania posted on social media to say they had 'now closed foster care applications and expressions of interest for adoptions and are utterly speechless from the outpouring of support.

' Ms.

Dawkins confirmed that RSPCA Tasmania had received around **350 expressions of interest** from interested people.

'The reality is that the laws have failed all of us.

.

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the existing law does nothing to deter this from happening and nothing to penalize when it does,' Ms.

Dawkins said.

'Under the existing laws, the Tasmanian Labradoodles owners could have faced a maximum penalty of just **$273,000**, which is just a cost of doing business for a puppy farm with an estimated revenue of around **$2 million**.

''The laws must change.

We cannot let a situation like this happen ever again.

Tasmania needs laws that ban puppy farms, and we need mandatory registration, standards, and conduct for breeding established.

''We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.

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