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Welfare of Cats Bill introduced in Parliament
kitten litter
"The health and welfare of cats and kittens can be put at risk when there is a commercial interest in breeding for sale."

Currently there is no legislation in the UK specific to the breeding of cats for sale

The first ever proposals for laws on commercial cat breeding and cat welfare have been introduced in Parliament.

The Welfare of Cats Bill was introduced as a Private Members Bill to the House of Lords yesterday by Lord Black of Brentwood.

Currently there is no legislation in the UK specific to the breeding of cats for sale, and if passed by Parliament, the Bill would improve the welfare of breeding cats and their kittens.

Proposals include:

  • Inspection and licensing of cat breeders
  • Banning licensed breeders from allowing cats to have kittens before they are a year old
  • Limiting the number of litters bred from a female cat to one a year, and no more than three in her lifetime
  • Ensuring kittens are well socialised and healthy before they are sold

The proposals to regulate breeding of cats for profit have been welcomed by Cats Protection.

Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection's advocacy manager, said the law governing the sale of pets dates back to the 1950s.

"New law is needed to protect cats from being bred and rebred for money as breeding machines," she said. "Repeated breeding is very draining and can be harmful for the mother cat. We know that the health and welfare of cats and kittens can be put at risk when there is a commercial interest in breeding for sale."

She continued: “We hope that regulation will deter those who, motivated by money, add yet more cats and kittens to an already saturated market. Breeding adds to the thousands of unwanted cats and kittens that are in the care of charities such as Cats Protection awaiting a loving home.”

To view the full Welfare of Cats Bill, visit http://services.parliament.uk/bills/?group=date&order=desc

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.