Consultation on Welsh Puppy Farm Regulations
The Welsh Government has published draft regulations designed to improve the state of animal welfare in Welsh puppy farms and introduce new controls on dog breeding to prevent unscrupulous practices. A fourteen week consultation period will now begin and all interested parties are invited to provide their views. The beginning of the consultation period was announced today by John Griffiths, Environment Minister for Wales.
The major proposed changes to existing legislation are:
- A change to the current thresholds so that a person with three breeding bitches on the premises and who breeds three or more litters of puppies on those premises in any 12-month period will need to be licensed.
- A on selling, so that anybody who has three breeding bitches and who advertises three litters a year for sale or supplies them in any 12-month period will require to be licensed.
- A minimum staff to dog ratio of attendant to 30 dogs.
- That stud dogs are now defined to ensure that appropriate record keeping and microchipping measures are taken.
- That a yearly licence is required for licensed premises.
Commenting on the new plans, Mr Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government is committed to raising standards of animal welfare. As part of that agenda, we are determined to deal with unscrupulous dog breeders who tarnish the reputation of those breeders operating in a responsible and proper manner.”
The minister also spoke of his interest in introducing legislation that would require all dogs in Wales to be microchipped. The Welsh Government will consult separately on plans for compulsory microchipping next year.
The consultation on the draft regulations on dog breeding is open until March 27 and can be accessed here.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
