Postitive changes for puppy welfare!

Last year the BVA, BSAVA and BVZS put forward a joint response to the government's consultation on animal establishment licensing in the UK.

https://www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/newsroom/news-releases/vets-respond-to-government-pet-licensing-consultation/

JMICAWE's own vet, Heather Bacon has been involved through her work with both the BVA and BVZS on this consultation, and in April last year was invited to speak on behalf of BVA  at an EFRA enquiry on the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Act https://www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/newsroom/news-releases/vets-call-on-mps-for-better-tools-for-enforcement-of-animal-welfare-laws/

During the inquiry Heather gave evidence on the need for the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to be supported by updates to secondary legislation such as the Animal Establishments Act, and the need for greater regulation, particularly around the issue of pet sales.

The updates include that laws around selling pets and breeding dogs will:

• make it completely illegal to sell puppies younger than eight weeks
• require anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a year to apply for a formal licence. 

Consequences of breaching the new rules include an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison.


https://www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/newsroom/news-releases/new-defra-puppy-legislation-step-in-right-direction-but-must-be-fully-resourced/