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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th February 2019
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Wales consults on puppy and kitten welfare
Estimates suggest between 40,000 and 80,000 puppies and kittens are sold each year via third parties.
Possible ban on third party sales under consideration

The Welsh Government has launched a three-month consultation to explore the possibility of banning third party puppy and kitten sales.

Estimates suggest between 40,000 and 80,000 puppies and kittens are sold each year via third parties in Great Britain.

Government officials said there are concerns that commercial third party sales lead to poorer welfare conditions for animals, compared to when people buy from breeders.

The consultation aims to gather information on the supply chain of puppies and kittens, to identify areas where government intervention will be most effective.

Environment minister Lesley Griffiths said: “There is clear evidence that the sale of puppies and kittens via third parties has the potential to contribute to an increased risk of disease and a lack of socialisation and habituation for the puppies and kittens compared to when people buy directly from the breeder.
 
“The vast majority of those buying a new puppy or kitten do so with the best of intentions. However, it is not always immediately apparent to the buyer where their new pet originated, or in what conditions it was raised.

“This consultation is an opportunity to gather as much information as possible to enable us to make lasting improvements to the welfare of puppies and kittens bred in Wales. Banning commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens may only be one aspect of this.”

The minister urged anyone with an interest in animal welfare to share their views. The consultation will run from 19 February until 17 May.

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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.