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Wales drafting new law to ban third-party sales
The change would mean anyone looking to buy a puppy or a kitten would need to go via the breeder directly or consider going to a rehoming centre.

Officials drafting new legislation to end third-party puppy and kitten sales

The Welsh government is drawing up a new law that will ban third-party puppy and kitten sales.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths has confirmed that legislation is being drafted, which will be entitled the Animal Welfare (Licencing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

The change would mean that anybody looking to buy a puppy or a kitten in Wales would need to go via the breeder directly or consider adopting from a rescue or rehoming centre. Similar legislation, named 'Lucy's Law' was introduced in England in April.

In a letter to the Welsh Parliament's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, Ms Griffiths confirmed that she has “given permission for officials to start the process for drafting new legislation for commercial third party sales”.

Claire Lawson, RSPCA Cymru assistant director for external relations, commented: “The Welsh Government’s announcement that it is working up a law to end the third-party sales of puppies and kittens is very good news, on an issue the RSPCA has long campaigned for.

“Unfortunately, early separation from mothers, unfamiliar environments and multiple journeys are a miserable reality for too many pups and kittens. Being traded through vendors can be a hugely stressful ordeal, where profits are put before welfare.

“We now look forward to seeing these new legislative proposals and will work closely with decision-makers to ensure they best protect the welfare of young dogs and cats in Wales.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.