RSPCA urges Government to progress Kept Animals Bill
The bill includes measures to tackle pet theft, which increased by 25 per cent over the past year.
The RSPCA, UK animal welfare charity, has called on the Government to keep its proposals to bring in the Kept Animals Bill, after concern that the Bill has been deprioritised.
Delivered as part of the Government's flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Bill will tackle puppy smuggling, live exports, ban the keeping of primates as pets, provide greater protection to livestock from livestock worrying, and improve zoo regulations.
David Bowles, RSPCA head of public affairs, commented: “It is 18 weeks since the Bill was last discussed by MPs and we are concerned that the Government has deprioritised the Bill meaning it will run out of time to become law in this parliamentary session.
“Not only does this Bill include measures to tackle pet theft but it also includes crucial legislative change to end live exports of animals for slaughter, proposals to stop imports of dogs with cropped ears, crackdown on the importation of puppies and tougher regulation of people keeping primates as pets, all Government manifesto commitments.
“These are also hugely important for improving animal welfare and are issues the public care passionately about, as shown in the new polling that over 30 animal welfare groups sent to the Prime Minister this week.
“We call on the Government to make good on their promise and ensure the Kept Animals Bill is given the time to progress through parliament.”
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
