Recently, Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley announced that the UK government has banned third party sales of puppies and kittens below the age of 6 months.
The decision will help bring to an end the horrible welfare conditions found in puppy farming and solve a variety of existing animal welfare problems. This means that those people who want to adopt a pet will have to go to breeders directly or choose animal shelters, instead of a pet shop or other commercial dealer. It will also make breeders more accountable for animal welfare and will make it difficult to sell illegally smuggled dogs and cats.
“This ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens is part of our commitment to make sure the nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in life. I pay tribute to the Lucy’s Law campaign and the many stakeholders who have passionately campaigned for this ban. Today’s decision builds on our previous action in this area, including banning the sale of puppies under eight weeks and tackling the breeding of dogs with genetic disorders,” Rutley said during a visit to Battersea Cat and Dogs Home.
The new law was taken following a successful campaign against puppy farming, which was sparked by a dog named Lucy who was rescued from a farm and endured years of exploitation.
Lisa Garner, who rescued Lucy, stated “We launched Lucy’s Law a year after her passing as a tribute to her and all the breeding dogs that are hidden from the public.” Dogs are usually held by breeders in terrible conditions and are forced to produce litters of puppies. “Her body was broken when she was rescued at five years old,” veterinarian Marc Abraham, told BBC 5 Live about Lucy’s condition.
