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Kennel Club welcomes commitments to tackle puppy smuggling
Imported puppies are often bred in unsanitary conditions and transported across great distances without space to move.
Legislation will restrict puppy and dog imports on welfare grounds

The Kennel Club has hailed new government commitments to tackle puppy smuggling as “an important step forwards for animal welfare”.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, announced on Monday (8 June), includes legislation that will restrict puppy and dog imports on welfare grounds, such as increasing the minimum age of imported puppies and restricting imports of dogs with cropped ears. 

The Kennel Club has long campaigned against the unethical trade of puppy smuggling and its devastating consequences. Imported puppies are often bred in unsanitary conditions and travel great distances without enough food, water or space to move.

Dr Ed Hayes, head of public affairs at The Kennel Club, said: "With the suffering caught up in the illegal import trade, and unscrupulous importers greedily rushing to fill the gap during the pandemic puppy boom, the new commitments and measures from the government to crack down on this are absolutely essential. 

“The Kennel Club has also always been against ear cropping, leading the ban in the UK over 100 years ago, so the steps outlined to restrict the import of dogs with cropped ears are an important step forwards for animal welfare.”

Dr Hayes also welcomed reforms on sheep worrying, that will give new powers to the police to provide greater protection to livestock from dangerous and out of control dogs. 

“With more people enjoying the great outdoors during the pandemic, alongside the reported increase in dog ownership, it’s crucial that everyone understands their responsibilities and there is clear messaging and laws to ensure the safety of people, animals and the environment,” he said. 

“We look forward to seeing further details and working with DEFRA and MPs to finalise this important and wide-ranging bill, for the sake of the nation’s much-loved pets.”

 

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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.