People who want a puppy must go to an animal shelter, rescue group or
directly to a breeder, instead of going to a third-party commercial retailer
Britain has banned third-party sales of puppies and
kittens to protect the animals from exploitation.
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. Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley said the
ban “is part of our commitment to make sure the nation’s
much-loved pets get the right start in life.” The decision
follows a public consultation that found overwhelming
support for banning third-party sales. Under the new
measure, people wishing to adopt a puppy or kitten would
have to deal directly with a breeder or a re-homing center,
rather than pet shops or other commercial dealers. Animal
welfare groups praised the government measure as an
important step forward. Marc Abraham, a veterinarian who
appears on television and is the founder of Pup Aid, called
it “a real victory for grassroots campaigners as well as the
UK’s dogs and cats.” He said the law would make breeders
more accountable and make it more difficult to sell illegally
smuggled puppies and kittens. Meanwhile, California has
become the first US state to sell only rescued animals in pet
shops. Starting January 1, California has banned the sale
of cats, dogs and rabbits in pet shops unless they are from
rescue centres.
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