​New rules to protect animals come into force today

Tougher new licensing rules to better protect thousands of animals are introduced today (1 Oct) as part of a swathe of reforms to safeguard the welfare of Britain’s pets.

These rules tighten up laws around selling pets, breeding dogs and the business of caring for animals.

Smaller establishments - sometimes called ‘backstreet breeders’ - which supply thousands of dogs to families each year, as well as larger commercial breeders, must meet strict welfare criteria to get a licence. It is now illegal to sell puppies younger than eight weeks and anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a year must apply for a formal licence.

Anyone trading commercially in pets online needs to be properly licensed, to help make reputable sellers easily accessible to prospective buyers.

The rules also cover how pet shops, dog home boarders, kennels, catteries and day care centres are licensed. They introduce a single ‘animal activities licence’ to improve the process and make enforcement easier. Other animal activities covered include businesses who hire out horses and the exhibiting of animals for performances.

Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing at Bury Council, said: “Everyone who owns a pet or is looking to introduce one into their life will want to know that the animal has had the very best start to life. “That is why the laws crack down on the worst offending back street breeders and non-licensed animal carers.

“With more and more pet sales now taking place on the internet, it’s right that this market is subject to the same strict licensing criteria as other breeders and pet shops so that consumers are not misled. The rules in force from today will help people choosing new family pets to be confident the animals have been properly bred and cared for from birth as well as properly cared for while being looked after by businesses.”

Bury’s licensing service, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Centre of Excellence and barrister Malcolm Hope, have been providing a series of workshops for some of the businesses affected by the new laws to help them understand them and ensure they are prepared for the changes.

ENDS

Press release issued: 1 October 2018.