Government has missed opportunity to make meaningful impact on pet welfare, says Blue Cross

Blue Cross is disappointed that the government has today missed a real opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the welfare of all pet animals.

Last year, Defra consulted on plans to simplify and update the licensing system for animal establishments in England. While we welcome some steps towards positive change for the breeding and sale of puppies, the department’s recommendations do little to address numerous concerns about improving the way other species are bred and sold.

Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross said: “While Blue Cross is pleased the government have promised new regulations to deal with the issues surrounding the breeding and sale of pets we have concerns that the problems of enforcement have not been addressed.

“Local authorities need to be provided with the tools and resources to be able to properly enforce the current legislation. We know that the welfare of animals is suffering because of a lack of enforcement and it is frustrating that the government have failed to really address these issues. A recent investigation by Blue Cross revealed licensed pet shops were keeping pets in very poor conditions and individual, unlicensed breeders and sellers of pets are falling under the radar. Under current legislation there is a lack of clarity that local authorities need to be able to properly enforce the law and improve pet welfare - of all species.”

We are pleased that it will be against the law to sell puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks, as this will positively benefit their welfare. We’re also very happy to learn that the government has recognised the work of PAAG and will be making it a requirement that all adverts from licenced breeders and sellers require their licence number.

We are concerned, however, that Defra’s recommendations fail to suggest improvements for the breeding and sale of cats, small pets such as hamsters and chinchillas, and exotic animals sold as pets; particularly because of the specific welfare needs of exotic species. We worry to that there is a lack of clarity and simplicity that local authorities need to be able to properly enforce the law and improve animal welfare.

Our investigative report Unpicking the Knots reveals the welfare of thousands of pets being bred and sold is at risk because of under-resourced local authorities struggling to cope with enforcement of current legislation.