Government & Legislation

Pet theft reform petition delivered to 10 Downing Street

The petition to ‘Reclassify the theft of a pet to a specific crime in its own right’ which gained 107,353 signatures and was debated in Parliament on 2 July 2018 was delivered to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 10 September. The creator of the petition, Dr Daniel Allen, animal geographer…

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ADCH welcomes Scottish government’s commitment to regulating rescue centres

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) applauds the new Programme for Government (PfG), which commits to pushing forward with the regulation of the nation’s rescue centres and animal sanctuaries. The Scottish government’s planned regulations, outlined in its PfG, are based on ADCH’s Minimum Standards and would make Scotland…

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Vets hail England ban on electric shock collar use

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed environment secretary Michael Gove’s announcement banning the use of “cruel” electric shock collars in dogs and cats in England, following a public consultation earlier this year. BVA has worked alongside campaigners to ban these aversive training methods across the UK for several years and…

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Electric shock collars for pets to be banned

The Kennel Club’s ten year campaign to #BanShockCollars has come to fruition with the announcement on Monday (27 August) that Defra will completely ban the use of remote control electric shock collars in England. This follows a ban in Wales in 2010 and an effective ban in Scotland which will…

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NOAH welcomes no-deal Brexit plan publication

Trade body for the animal medicine industry NOAH says it welcomes the publication of the government’s no-deal Brexit plan. Noah however says it remains ‘very concerned’ about the lack of sufficient time to execute a smooth EU exit process without interruption to the availability of vital veterinary medicines. Gaynor Hillier,…

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PIF reacts to Lucy’s Law victory

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has issued an official statement in response to the government’s announcement to hold a consultation on the banning of third party puppy and kitten sales in England. The trade association said it has “no retailer members [which sold] puppies”. It added that according to a…

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RSPCA given official warning for ‘mismanagement’

Animal welfare charity RSPCA has been issued an official warning by the Charity Commission after it reportedly awarded a former executive with a six-figure sum following an age discrimination accusation. It was reported by The Times that acting head Michael Ward had been given over £150,000 when he left the charity…

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Proposals on kitten sales need to go further, says Cats Protection

Feline charity Cats Protection has called for kitten breeding regulation to be brought into line with that which exists for dogs, in response to the government’s announcement for a consultation on a ban on third party puppy and kitten sales in England. Cats Protection’s head of advocacy and government relations,…

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Puppy and kitten pet shop sales to be banned in Lucy’s Law victory

The government has announced a consultation to introduce a ban on commercial third party puppy and kitten sales in England, marking a victory for Lucy’s Law campaigners. If this is introduced, anyone who is not a professional breeder will not be able to sell a puppy or a kitten and…

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Trade body warns pet businesses to get ready for new licensing regime

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) said it is “deeply concerned” by the new Animal Activities Licensing (AAL) regime which comes into force in England on 1 October 2018, and is warning businesses to get ready for its implementation. The new licensing regime for England expands the types of businesses…

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