The call for evidence

The Government has published (8 Feb 2018) proposed new rules to modernise and enhance animal welfare requirements applying to dog breeding and other animal activities licensed by local authorities in England and Wales.

These reforms include:
- All licensed dog breeders and sellers of pets, to adhere to strict mandatory welfare standards.
- Prohibition of the sale of puppies, kittens, ferrets or rabbits below 8 weeks of age.
- Pet sellers to advertise their licence number in the advert and which local authority issused it, a photo of the pet, its age, country or residence & origin.
- Requirement for dog sales to be completed in the presence of the purchaser on the premises where the licensed seller/breeder has been keeping the dog (bans online sales).
- Ensures licenced dog breeders show puppies alongside the mother before a sale is made and only sell puppies they have bred themselves.

The above reforms address the majority of concerns about pet sales and breeding.

Some licensed pet sellers are not the licensed breeders - these are known as third party sellers.

Some organisations have suggested a complete ban on third party sellers of puppies and kittens should take place.

A ban would mean that pet shops, pet dealers and other outlets licensed to sell puppies and kittens would be unable to sell these pets unless they themselves have bred them.

A ban on third party sales would further protect the welfare of puppies and kittens and is an important step to improving standards in breeding establishments.

The call for evidence can be downloaded from the Gov.uk Website. The deadline for responses is 02 May 2018.

The IoL intends to respond to the call for evidence, and requests members' views via this survey to inform our response.  
The survey will close on 18 April 2018 at Midnight

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