Ministers to press ahead with plans to ban third-party sales of puppies and kittens
- Ministers to ban the sale of puppies from pet shops after public consultation
- More than 95 per cent of people backed the move to ban third-party sales
- The decision follows the ‘Lucy’s Law’ campaign, named after a spaniel who was rescued after being kept in a cage at a puppy farm
Ministers are to press ahead with a ban on the sale of puppies from pet shops.
They vowed they would outlaw so-called third-party sales after more than 95 per cent of people backed the move in a public consultation.
The decision follows the ‘Lucy’s Law’ campaign, named after a spaniel who was rescued after being kept in a cage at a puppy farm.
It means that anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under the age of six months must in future deal directly with a breeder or an animal rehoming centre [File photo]
The decision follows the ‘Lucy’s Law’ campaign, named after a spaniel who was rescued after being kept in a cage at a puppy farm
It means that anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under the age of six months must in future deal directly with a breeder or an animal rehoming centre.
The new rules are also designed to bring an end to the terrible conditions often found in puppy farms, officials said.
Speaking during a visit to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley said: ‘This ban is part of our commitment to make sure the nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in life.’
TV vet Marc Abraham, founder of the Lucy’s Law campaign, said: ‘This is a real victory for campaigners as well as the UK’s dogs and cats.’
Government officials will continue to review whether non-commercial rescue and rehoming centres require a licence to operate.