Consultation on new rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens

Overview

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on proposed new rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland.

The consultation details proposals for the introduction of a registration system for persons selling, giving away, or otherwise transferring ownership of puppies and kittens aged under six months. The consultation also details proposals to end the third-party sale and supply of puppies and kittens.

For full details of the proposals, please see attached consultation document below. 

The consultation is aimed at anyone who has an interest in animal welfare, stakeholders who work within the animal welfare sector, councils which have responsibility for enforcement of companion animal welfare, and any person or organisation involved in the breeding, sale or transfer of ownership of puppies and kittens.

DAERA encourages all interested parties to respond to this consultation, so that together we can improve the welfare of our puppies and kittens when going to new homes. 

What happens next

Following the public consultation the Department will publish a response document outlining the proposed way forward. Subject to the views of consultees, the Department will take the necessary steps to bring forward the required legislation to give effect to the proposal.