The penalties for committing an act of cruelty, or failing to meet your cat's welfare needs, include a ban from owning animals, a fine of up to £20,000, or a six-month prison sentence. UK law generally regards companion animals such as cats as personal property so that any damage or harm to a cat is legally the same as damage to any other piece of property. UK bans pet shops from selling puppies and kittens ... as the U.K.'s dogs and cats." Lucy was rescued in 2013 at five years old from a Welsh puppy farm. We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Confirming the government’s support for the prominent Lucy’s Law campaign, Defra has published a consultation on an outright ban that will mean anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten must either deal directly with the breeder or with one of the nation’s many animal rehoming centres. What happens to your body in extreme heat? Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said the ban would "stop the suffering of many dogs and send a very strong message to puppy buyers that it is never OK to see a puppy in any environment other than the one it was born and raised in, and with its mum". Tail docking The Act increases the minimum age that anyone can buy a cat or other animal to 16. Permits Required to Sell a Tortoise. See Cats Protection’s Essential Guide: Moving house. That said, it is deplorable, even in that setting. Government backs ban on third party ... - Welcome to GOV.UK UK Cat Laws. LONDON -- Britain has banned third-party sales of puppies and kittens to protect the animals from exploitation. It is also illegal for a licence holder to sell a kitten if it is younger than 8 weeks. "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.". San Francisco officials have voted to ban the sale of non-rescue dogs and cats at pet shops as part of a concerted effort to eradicate “inhumane” puppy breeding operations in the city. TV vet Marc Abraham, who launched the campaign for the legislation, hailed the move as “a real victory for grass roots campaigners as well as the UK’s dogs and cats.” Uighur camp detainees allege systematic rape1, Aung San Suu Kyi charged after Myanmar army coup2, Study showing vaccine slows virus spread 'superb'3, Rihanna farmers tweet angers Indian government4, Eric Trump hits out at MSPs in wealth debate5, Myanmar coup: What is happening and why?6, Female directors make history in Golden Globes7, Missing hiker taken against will, partner fears8, British man facing jail flees Iran over mountains9, Evacuations as 'erratic' Perth fire destroys homes10. "Lisa Garner, her owner, rehabilitated her and popped her in the hands of various celebrities and got this huge social media following and helped raised awareness about not only puppy farming, but rescue dog adoption," he said. Check the animal’s health records. It is illegal in the UK for 3rd parties (which includes pet shops) to sell kittens or puppies younger than 8 weeks of age, only breeders can. If you're buying or selling a cat or kitten, make sure you know your rights and that the seller is complying with the law. Welcome to KittenAds.co.uk, the UK's best online selling platform for Cats and Kittens. She said there should be additional measures including regulating re-homing organisations. The government says the new law will help crack down on "puppy farms" and make it harder for unscrupulous dealers who have little regard for animal welfare. More information about PETS can be obtained from the government website – visit www.gov.uk or phone 0870 241 1710. She had a series of health problems, including a curved spine as a result of being kept in a cramped cage, and epilepsy. People breeding cats for sale should be licensed and there should be a ban on selling very young kittens to protect their health, a cat charity says. List your kittens for sale or your expecting litter. Here you can find out about all of the laws regarding cats that are enforced in the United Kingdom. They are the most frequently, along with their mothers, killed animals in kill shelters. Two of her puppies later died. Find cats & kittens for sale, for rehoming and for adoption from reputable breeders or connect for free with eager buyers UK at Freeads.co.uk, the cat & kitten classifieds. In England, regulations make it illegal for any person to sell a cat or kitten as a pet in the course of a business, unless they have acquired a licence authorising them to do so. What do we know about China's Covid-19 vaccines? Paula Boyden, from the Dogs Trust, welcomed the ban but warned "potential loopholes" needed to be closed off for it to be successful. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Your listing(s) will be posted on GoKitty and will be submitted to our partner sites. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Speaking in support of a change, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "People who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade.". © 2021 BBC. Electric shock collars use pain and fear to train or control dogs. LONDON (AP) — Britain has banned third-party sales of puppies and kittens to protect the animals from exploitation. The charity wants the government to regulate cat breeding and to update the law to reflect the fact that most cats and kittens are now advertised for sale online. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. The U.K… This is legal. OK. It entirely depends on how they are killed. Your kitten will have gone through several stages by eight weeks, something along these lines: Stage One - the nursing stage. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. All of which can contribute to a chaotic start in life and lead to serious health problems and lack of socialisation. Pet shops and dealers in England will be banned from selling puppies and kittens under government plans. The ban aims to reduce the health problems associated which emerge when animals are reared in poor conditions. 3. Anyone buying or adopting a … UK law generally regards companion animals such as cats as personal property so that any damage or harm to a cat is legally the same as damage to any other piece of property. Her broken body too frail from the years of abuse to fight any... A petition supporting Lucy's Law was signed by nearly 150,000 people and was debated in Parliament in May. The law is also known as ‘Lucy’s Law’ after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who suffered bad treatment at a Welsh puppy farm. Study showing vaccine slows virus spread 'superb', Uighur camp detainees allege systematic rape. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. People who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade. The common name of wild cats that are subject to ownership restrictions are stated as follows: This list is kept under review and has been updated on a number of occasions, with the most recent amendment occur… As part its animal welfare reform programme, the government is also bringing in higher maximum sentences of up to five years for animal abusers – the toughest sentencing in Europe. The government says the new law will help crack down on "puppy farms" and make it harder for unscrupulous dealers who have little regard for animal welfare. The cat or kitten bill of sale is a legal contract that is used for the purpose of purchasing a cat or kitten from a seller or a breeder. They think they're buying from a reputable breeder, actually they're buying from a middle person," he said. The breeder reserves the right to repossess the kitten/cat should such a situation arise, or to participate in agreeing the new home should it be impractical for the kitten/cat to be returned to the breeder. Selling animals as pets: Text of the definition in Schedule 1 of the regulations “2. The activity described in paragraph 2 does not include- Those breeders who are members of cat clubs and who show their cats breed towards producing a good robust, healthy show cat with a view to keeping one or two kittens themselves so quality and temperament is of vital importance when planning their breeding. if you knowingly sell the kittens to an individual that will use them as training for dog fights or something like that then yes its illegal.also if you receive "purebred" animals under contract not to breed them for monetary reasons,its not illegal but you could be sued.not sure what state you live in and what laws apply but if you got the kittens as a charity … Queen guitarist Brian May, who supports the Lucy's Law campaign, said it was "a day for celebration". It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. At six weeks old, Luna was already under the legal age required for puppies to be sold - but the seller claimed the young dog was 10 weeks old. See this section to make sure you're following the rules. Ownership of dangerous wild animals is permitted in England, but is subject to obtaining a license for each animal held. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, aka CITES, governs the permit requirements for selling a tortoise. Third … Thankfully, tortoises are not yet considered to be an endangered species. Turn on your Waiting List Service and collect email addresses for your expecting litter. The government says the new law will help crack down on “puppy farms” and make it harder for unscrupulous dealers who … We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. The Department for Environment, Food and rural Affairs said fewer than 100 third party sellers - which includes some pet shops - are licensed in England. The Pet Industry Federation said puppy farms should be closed down but added there were concerns that an outright ban on third party sales would lead to sales "going underground". The law also states that puppies, kittens, ferrets or rabbits cannot be sold until they are at least eight weeks of age – while local authorities across Wales will need to provide more data about the numbers of licenced premises in a locality; ensuring increased understanding of the … There are an extensive number of animals that are subject to the licensing requirements under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, as amended. Owners who use these on their dogs (or cats) in Wales can go to prison for six months and face a fine of up to £20,000. Breeders will only be able to sell … Pay only 9.99 per month when you see results. There has been media coverage today on the introduction of the landmark legislation to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies and kittens, Lucy’s Law, in the Daily Mirror, the Guardian, the i and the Independent.The banning of commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens in England is the result of a decade-long campaign led by media vet and author, Marc Abraham. 6Cats and the Law: basic protection afforded to cats The legal status of cats under the UK Animal Welfare Acts is that of protected animals. LONDON (AP) — Britain has banned third-party sales of puppies and kittens to protect the animals from exploitation. Theft Act 1968. The proposed ban on third party sales is part of a series of government reforms on pet welfare including banning the sale of underage puppies and kittens and tackling the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders. Much of the law in relation to animals has now been consolidated in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which applies in England and Wales, the Animal Health & Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. This law stretches from the biggest chain pet shop in the world to a private breeder that lives in your town. Law: Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010. T he government has pledged to change the law in order to protect kittens.. Labour MP Rob Marris has been fighting tooth and claw to prevent young cats from being exploited. Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, said: A ban on third party sales will ensure the nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in life. PET shops could be banned from selling puppies and kittens under plans unveiled by ministers last night. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Wildlife, animals, biodiversity and ecosystems, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases. Campaigners welcomed the announcement, but warned of "potential loopholes". A ban on third party puppy and kitten sales in England will be introduced to help drive up animal welfare standards, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. On the 6 April, the Government introduced new legislation to improve the welfare of pets by banning third-party sale of puppies and kittens in England. What do we know about China's Covid-19 vaccines? It depends. For the first time, a law deals with online sale of pets directly and holds sellers accountable.” Also read: Illegal sale of dogs flourishes online: Why … UK Cat Laws. ... for Lucy's Law, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Lucy's Law … Looking to sell? Puppies and kittens should never be sold under 8 weeks old – do not buy from anyone advertising a puppy or kitten younger than 8 weeks. Cat breeders may be located through cat clubs or advertisements for cats for sale. See also - The Animal Welfare Act 2006 I pay tribute to the Lucy’s Law campaign, spearheaded by PupAid, Care And Respect Includes All Dogs (CARIAD), and Canine Action UK, who have fought tirelessly for this step. Find cats & kittens for sale, for rehoming and for adoption from reputable breeders or connect for free with eager buyers UK at Freeads.co.uk, the cat & kitten classifieds. In Wales, campaigners have also called for Lucy's Law and the government has said it would "investigate the potential banning of third party sales". In another case, the Dogs Trust said a French bulldog called Lola was forced to travel from eastern Europe so her puppies could be born and sold in the UK at a higher price. VideoWhat do we know about China's Covid-19 vaccines? "There's nowhere to hide, a pet shop can't blame the breeder and the breeder can't blame the pet shop," he said. Selling animals as pets (or with a view to their being later resold as pets) in the course of a business including keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being so sold or resold. Video. The kitten/cat shall not, at any time, be resold or rehomed without the breeder's prior knowledge and written consent. The elected civilian leader has not been heard from since she was detained on Monday. You’ve accepted all cookies. Pet shops and dealers in England will be banned from selling puppies and kittens under government plans. "It means the breeders aren't getting the scrutiny on their premises because they're passing these dogs off to third parties and it often leaves families with sick animals and the tragedy of that occurs.". A ban on licensed sellers dealing in dogs and cats less than eight weeks old is already coming in on 1 October. It is a victory for the Lucy's Law campaign, which has been calling for the ban to be implemented. British pet shops to be banned from selling puppies and kittens This article is more than 2 years old Defra said the ban will make it harder for ‘high-volume, low-welfare breeders’ to operate. We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our site. See Cats Protection’s Essential Guide: Moving house. "Everyone selling is accountable so this is a very exciting time for animal welfare.". This law states that all animals kept as pets in the UK must have provision made for a suitable living environment, including the freedom to exhibit normal and natural behaviour patterns, a suitable diet, and protection from pain, suffering… The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows cats and other animals to travel and enter the UK without the need for quarantine, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. The Mayhew Animal Home charity has previously highlighted the case of Luna, a Jack Russell terrier who was sold online despite being ill with a suspected skin disease. Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley said the ban "is part of our commitment to make sure the nation's much-loved … Read about our approach to external linking. In Scotland, a members' bill to end puppy farming was introduced in May. "We've had this explosion in this market with loads of rogue traders, lots of rogue dealers and it's meant the public are often unsuspecting. Selling Cats & Kittens. The government have announced a consultation on a ban on third party puppy and kitten sales in England. This act requires you to have a licence to sell pets through a pet shop or an individual home; however, it is more than 50 years old and has failed to adapt to the changing cat breeding market, where most sales are made online and through small advertisements. Blue Cross is campaigning for a UK-wide ban on these cruel devices. Aung San Suu Kyi charged after Myanmar army coup. Read about our approach to external linking. Here your kitten will be quite fragile and totally dependent on his mother. You can find out who is liable for damage in the event of an accident, and discover all you need to know about at the Animal Welfare Act. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. You can find out who is liable for damage in the event of an accident, and discover all you need to know about at the Animal Welfare Act. There are specific laws related to the buying and selling of dogs generally, and extra laws related to dangerous dogs. "Then she sadly passed away and succumbed to all her injuries in December 2016. Sale of cats 6 Cats and the Law: basic protection afforded to cats The legal status of cats under the UK Animal Welfare Acts is that of protected animals. He said Lucy was a "beautiful little soul" whose condition when she was rescued was "so heartbreaking". TV vet Marc Abraham, who launched the campaign for Lucy's Law, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Lucy's Law will make all breeders and puppy farms "completely transparent and accountable" which "completely raises the stakes for animal welfare". Breeding cats, on the other hand, is only protected by the Pet Animals Act 1951. Legislation it introduced in 2014 requires all dog breeders to apply for a licence. The steps follow a commitment by the Prime Minister Theresa May in December to crack down on cruel puppy farms, and aim to bring an end to the grisly conditions found in puppy farming and tackle a range of existing animal welfare issues. This contract protects all parties involved, including the seller and the buyer and it is presented to the buyer once the transaction is concluded. He said the law would make breeders more accountable and make it more difficult to sell … The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows cats and other animals to travel and enter the UK without the need for quarantine, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. Puppies and kittens are defined as being less than six months old. The campaign was named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was badly treated in the puppy farming system. New legislation Lucy's Law means pet shops and other third-party commercial sellers are banned from selling kittens and puppies, and they must be … Of course, puppies or kittens should never be leaving their mothers younger than that age. Rihanna farmers tweet angers Indian government, Eric Trump hits out at MSPs in wealth debate, Female directors make history in Golden Globes, Missing hiker taken against will, partner fears, British man facing jail flees Iran over mountains, Evacuations as 'erratic' Perth fire destroys homes, campaigners have also called for Lucy's Law. Delhi's 'war-like fortification' against farmers, Racial Impostor Syndrome: When you feel like a fake, What to expect from the Golden Globe nominations, Migrant girl held by US for 531 days and counting. These include the early separation of puppies and kittens from their mothers, their introduction to new and unfamiliar environments and the increased likelihood of multiple journeys the puppies or kittens have to undertake. There are no records of the number of puppies sold via third parties, but the animal charity Blue Cross has estimated it is between 40,000 and 80,000 per year in Great Britain. Theft Act 1968. The ban would prevent pet shops and dealers selling puppies and kittens less than six months old. New laws come into force on 1 October this year banning licensed sellers from dealing in puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks and tightening the compulsory licensing of anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs. It will be 2 weeks tomorrow that Lucy passed away. Chris Wainwright, deputy chief executive of the RSPCA, told BBC News that a ban was "overdue" and said he hoped it would raise welfare standards. This is known as Lucy's Law and means it's now illegal for commercial dealers to sell puppies and kittens unless they have bred the animals themselves. What do we know about China's Covid-19 vaccines? Here you can find out about all of the laws regarding cats that are enforced in the United Kingdom. In an attempt to protect animals from exploitation, the United Kingdom has passed a new law banning third-party commercial retailers from selling puppies and kittens. Cats or kittens. Place a FREE ad today! More information about PETS can be obtained from the government website – visit www.gov.uk or phone 0870 241 1710. She died in 2016. Other rules already coming into force on 1 October include a requirement for any licensed pet seller to include their licence number in the advert as well as identifying the local authority that issued it and for breeders to show puppies alongside their mother before a sale is made. The proposed rule would also effectively prevent the sale of puppies and kittens in traditional pet shops. The proposals, which have gone out to consultation, will mean those wanting to buy or adopt a pet less than six months old will have to go to the breeder or a rescue centre. So if you are going to consider selling a kitten, you should wait until at least eight weeks before allowing it to leave its mother. Pet shops are to be banned from selling kittens and puppies by the government in a crackdown aimed at stopping puppy farming.