DEFRA

Nov- 2021 -

23 November

Natural dog treats business Dogglebox launches

A Basingstoke couple has launched a natural dog treats business called Dogglebox, after finding that poor quality processed treats were making one of their own dogs potentially unwell. Gary and Danielle Clarkson, who is a qualified dog nutritionist, said they used their “knowledge and passion for finding quality, natural dog…

Sep- 2021 -

7 September

Current Affairs

Pet abduction to be made new criminal offence

The government is set to introduce a new criminal offence for pet abduction amid a crack down on pet theft, after there was a reported rise in pets being stolen during the pandemic. The new law will “recognise the welfare of animals and that pets are valued as more than…

Jul- 2021 -

13 July

Manufacturers

PFMA issues raw feeding guidance amid new research

PFMA has issued guidance to UK pet owners on the safety of raw feeding, in a bid to “provide reassurance and guidance” amid increased press coverage of raw feeding in the UK press. It comes as the group said it was aware of research from a team at the University…

Jun- 2021 -

9 June

Trade Organisations

Kennel Club praises gov promise to fight puppy smuggling

The Kennel Club has welcomed recent efforts by the UK government to tackle puppy smuggling in the country. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has introduced new laws to tackle puppy smuggling and placed restrictions on ear cropping. In response, Dr Ed Hayes, head of public affairs…

May- 2021 -

20 May

Charities

RSPCA warns gov not to ‘sell out’ animal welfare in Australia trade deal

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is warning the government not to “sell out” animal welfare in its post-Brexit trade deal with Australia. There are lower legal animal welfare standards in Australia, including barren battery cages for hens, chlorinated chicken, growth hormone treatment for beef…

14 May

Trade Organisations

Gov bans electric shock collars for dogs

The UK government has outlined its plans to ban electric shock collars for dogs as part of its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. The move has been widely praised by pet associations, such as the Kennel Club, for ensuring the UK is leading the way in animal welfare. Research conducted…

12 May

Features

How can the raw pet food industry implement a more ethical approach to sourcing?

Consumer attitudes to how and what people feed their pets are rapidly changing. With most people more focussed than ever on their own health, pet health and nutrition is naturally becoming more prominent. The consequence is that pet owners are becoming more concerned about the ingredients in processed pet food,…

Mar- 2021 -

31 March

Charities

Dogs Trust saves 1,500th smuggled puppy via Puppy Pilot scheme

Dogs Trust has revealed that it has saved 1,5000 smuggled puppies and rehomed them through its Puppy Pilot scheme. The charity is calling on the government to raise the minimum age for puppies to enter the UK to six months and to increase penalties for those caught illegally importing dogs.…

19 March

Trade Organisations

Import of puppies more than doubles amid lockdown

The import of puppies into the UK has risen “substantially” during lockdown, according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The government body’s annual statistics revealed that the number of dogs being commercially imported into the country has increased by more than 50% due to lockdown. The number of…

Feb- 2021 -

15 February

Charities

Imports of dogs into the UK more than doubles amid lockdown

The number of dogs being commercially imported into the UK has risen by more than 50% during lockdown. According to the RSPCA, imports from Romania have grown by 67% from 19,489 to 32,525 as the demand for puppies soared in the UK. Annual statistics released by the Animal and Plant…