Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th November 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Animal charities call for review of exotic pet trade
Chameleon
The Blue Cross and the Born Free Foundation want to see laws surrounding the sales of exotic pets brought up to date.

Welfare of thousands of exotic pets at risk

Animal welfare charities are calling on the UK Government to carry out a review of the exotic pet trade as a new report reveals the true extent of unsuitable and potentially dangerous animals available to purchase online.

Compiled by the Blue Cross and the Born Free Foundation, the report found that at any one time, across a sample of just six websites, there are some 25,000 adverts offering more than 120 species of exotic animals for sale.

With little or no regulation of online purchases, the charities are concerned for the health and welfare of the animals available - as well as the safety of the public - and want to see laws surrounding the sales of exotic pets brought up to date.

"It is truly shocking how many exotic animals and of such diversity are available online, with so many advertised incorrectly or incompletely and with no indication of their often complex needs," said Chris Draper of the Born Free Foundation.

He adds: "The government needs to review the Pet Animals Act as a priority to ensure people are made aware of the issues related to buying exotic pets online and we should urgently examine how these animals are faring in the pet trade."

All pets are offered a certain level of protection through the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Pet Animals Act 1951. However, there is confusion over how they are applied and enforced.

The Pet Animals Act, which controls the sales of animals in pet shops, was drafted long before the internet or the growth in popularity of exotic pets so the charities are convinced that it is no longer fit for purpose.

Steve Goody, Blue Cross deputy chief executive commented: "The report shows the shocking scale of the exotic pet trade and urgent need for action.

"With ever-increasing demand for more and more unusual pets and the huge growth in internet sales, it is high time for the government to take action to ensure that this industry is properly regulated."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.