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Welsh government announces imminent ban on third party puppy and kitten sales
Lucy's Law was brought into force in England in April of this year.

Lucy’s Law will come into force by May 2021

A ban on third party puppy and kitten sales will be introduced in Wales within the next few months, following a public consultation by the welsh government which received overwhelming support.

Current regulations in Wales mean that a local authority licence is only required for those breeding three litters or more per year.

The introduction of Lucy’s Law – named for a puppy that was saved from a welsh puppy farm – will mean that anyone wanting to get a new puppy or kitten will have to buy directly from a breeder.

The public consultation ran from June to August 2020 and aimed to analyse the positive and negative effects that a proposed ban would have on commercial third party sellers of puppies and kittens.

Of the 226 responses received, 98 per cent of respondents said they would like to see a ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens.

Following this tremendous response, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs confirmed that a ban on third party sales will be introduced by the end of this Senedd (May 2021).

The Kennel Club welcomed the announcement, made on Monday 5 October. Head of public affairs, Holly Conway commented: “When this policy is implemented it should stop the suffering of many dogs and send a very strong message to puppy buyers that it is never ok to see a puppy in any environment other than the one it was born and raised in, and with its mum.

“It’s absolutely vital, particularly in the current climate, that people wanting to get a dog take their time to really do their research, find a responsible breeder and bring home a happy, healthy new addition to the family.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.