Animal Welfare Bill progresses past committee stage
The Bill proposes an increased minimum age for puppies and kittens that can be imported.
The RSPCA is celebrating as the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill progresses past the committee stage.
Its progress through Parliament brings it a step closer to becoming law, with RSPCA hopeful that it will reach the report stage before Parliament enters Summer Recess on 22 July.
The Bill was introduced to Parliament by Danny Chambers MP, who is also a trained veterinary surgeon. If successful, it could see specific restrictions to both commercial and non-commercial animal imports.
One significant aspect of the law will ban the import of 'mutilated' pets from abroad. Through this ban, the RSPCA hopes the Bill will close a loophole allowing people to import pets from abroad which have undergone procedures that are illegal in the UK.
This includes a ban on the import of dogs with cropped ears or docked tails and cats which have been declawed.
The RSPCA says that, since 2023, it has had 30,000 supporters join its campaign to stop ear cropping. The charity fears that cropped ears have increased in popularity through representation on social media.
The Bill also incorporates measures intended to tackle the illegal puppy and kitten smuggling trade, which threatens the welfare of young animals.
It hopes to increase the minimum age that puppies and kittens can be brought into the UK from the existing 15 weeks to six months. There is a proposed ban on pregnant dogs and cats being imported after 42 days of pregnancy.
The Bill would also limit how many animals can be imported in a single vehicle.
Harriet Main, public affairs manager at the RSPCA, said: “We know many animal lovers share our concern at the numbers of mutilated dogs and cats, and young and pregnant pets, being imported into the country.
“So we’re delighted that the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has passed through this stage and that we’re one step closer to living in a country with better protection for our animals.”
Danny Chambers MP said: “By taking advantage of policy loopholes, criminals have been able to traffic vulnerable animals into the UK. This gap in the system has caused the suffering of thousands of innocent animals.
“As a vet, I think it is time we close this loophole, stop it from being exploited by criminals, and put an end to this cruel trade once and for all.”
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
