Following the results of a Welsh public consultation which found 98% agree with a ban on third party puppy sales, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has today (5 October) confirmed that the ban will be introduced by the end of this Senedd.
The move has been welcomed by The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, which has long called for an end to the sale of puppies in pet shops and by other third party retailers, as puppy farmers often use such outlets to dupe unsuspecting members of the public who never see the terrible conditions that the pups were raised in.
Holly Conway, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club commented: “We certainly welcome the results of this consultation and that the public overwhelmingly support the move to ban third party sales of puppies in Wales, which we have long campaigned for and is a vital step forward to tackle the cruel puppy farming industry. Sadly, too often irresponsible breeders both in Wales and elsewhere have depended on commercial third party sellers – like ‘dealers’ or pet shops – to disguise the horrific conditions puppies are bred and brought up in to the public, readily making a huge profit while causing untold suffering.
“When this policy is implemented it should 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. It’s absolutely vital, particularly in the current climate, that people wanting to get a dog take their time to really do their research, find a responsible breeder and bring home a happy, healthy new addition to the family, and avoid any unnecessary suffering caused by quick decisions which play into the hands of profit-hungry puppy farmers. We call upon the Welsh Government to bring forward this legislation without undue delay.”
More information about responsible breeding and pet ownership can be found on The Kennel Club website.
The move has been welcomed by The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, which has long called for an end to the sale of puppies in pet shops and by other third party retailers, as puppy farmers often use such outlets to dupe unsuspecting members of the public who never see the terrible conditions that the pups were raised in.
Holly Conway, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club commented: “We certainly welcome the results of this consultation and that the public overwhelmingly support the move to ban third party sales of puppies in Wales, which we have long campaigned for and is a vital step forward to tackle the cruel puppy farming industry. Sadly, too often irresponsible breeders both in Wales and elsewhere have depended on commercial third party sellers – like ‘dealers’ or pet shops – to disguise the horrific conditions puppies are bred and brought up in to the public, readily making a huge profit while causing untold suffering.
“When this policy is implemented it should 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. It’s absolutely vital, particularly in the current climate, that people wanting to get a dog take their time to really do their research, find a responsible breeder and bring home a happy, healthy new addition to the family, and avoid any unnecessary suffering caused by quick decisions which play into the hands of profit-hungry puppy farmers. We call upon the Welsh Government to bring forward this legislation without undue delay.”
More information about responsible breeding and pet ownership can be found on The Kennel Club website.