Puppies and kittens could be banned from being sold in shops in Wales, under new plans being considered by the Welsh Government.
A consultation about banning sales by third-party sellers has been launched today.
It would mean people would only be able to buy pets from licensed dog breeders or rehoming centres like Cat’s Protection or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
There are worries that pet shop animals have poorer welfare standards compared to those from a breeder. For example, they have to get used to lots of different environments and make more journeys.
Between 40,000 and 80,000 puppies and kittens are sold via third parties in Great Britain each year.
Should pet shops in Wales be banned from selling puppies and kittens? Tell us where your pets came from! Use the hashtag #rainingcatsanddogs 🐶🐱 This is @AbigailRiem poodle Ruby, bought from a Derbyshire breeder pic.twitter.com/kQihSU8tUI
— Cardiff Broadcast (@BroadcastCJS) February 19, 2019
Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister said the ‘vast majority’ of those buying a new puppy or kitten had the best intentions but it’s not always clear where their new pet has come from or what the conditions are like.
She said: “This consultation is an opportunity to gather as much information as possible to enable us to make lasting improvements to the welfare of puppies and kittens bred in Wales. Banning commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens may only be one aspect of this.”
The consultation follows a campaign called Lucy’s Law, which successfully banned the sale of puppies in England.
Lucy’s Law was named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from appalling conditions at a Welsh puppy farm.
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A petition was presented to the National Assembly for Wales in September 2018 calling for the Wales to follow England and restrict the sale of animals from third party sellers.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: ““We look forward to taking part in the consultation and working with the Welsh Government to ensure this becomes a reality. By ending third party sales – and in conjunction with Wales’ unique dog breeding laws – Wales can help end the illegal puppy and kitten trade and this cruel multi-million pound business.”
You can have your say on the consultation until 17 May.