Found: Written evidence submitted by Cats Protection (RRB05)
Require a licence to breed and sell cats and introduce statutory guidance
- Final Signatures: 59
Introduce a licence for cat breeding and provide additional funding to councils to investigate unlicensed cat breeders. We also think there should be statutory guidance about breeding cats, as with dogs.
Found: Require a licence to breed and sell cats and introduce statutory guidance
Despite changes to the RCVS Code of Conduct dogs/cats can still legally be euthanised without being scanned. In non-emergencies, we want vets to be legally required to scan microchips prior to euthanasia for RBU and confirm the person presenting the animal is registered on the microchip.
The Government responsed to this petition on 19th April 2024 (View Full Response)Found: Introduce new legal requirements for vets prior to euthanasia of dogs & cats
Mar. 08 2024
Source Page: Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats – SPC changeFound: Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats – SPC change
Apr. 11 2024
Source Page: Prevomax 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats – SPC changeFound: Prevomax 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats – SPC change
Asked by: Ian Byrne (Labour - Liverpool, West Derby)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) guidance and (b) support his Department provides to (i) veterinarians and (ii) other animal welfare professionals on cats and kittens illegally smuggled into the UK.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government takes the illegal importation of pets seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to animals.
Defra regularly engages with stakeholders, including veterinary and animal welfare professionals, on a range of animal welfare issues, including the illegal smuggling of pets into the UK.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential ban on importing dogs and cats under the age of six months; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that ban on levels of illegal pet trade.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra regularly engages with relevant stakeholders, on tackling the illegal pet trade, including prohibiting the import of puppies and kittens under the age of six months.
The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of puppies under six months old. By its very nature, it is difficult to assess the full extent of the illegal pet trade. The measures in the Bill will close loopholes exploited by unscrupulous traders, help reduce the low welfare movement of pets into Great Britain and crack down on the illegal smuggling of dogs and puppies.
Asked by: Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party - North Ayrshire and Arran)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban cat and kitten smuggling.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As outlined in our 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Government has an ambitious agenda for animal welfare and conservation reforms, which we are taking forward during this Parliamentary session. We will continue to introduce and support legislative and non-legislative reforms where possible.
We are aware that Selaine Saxby MP has introduced a Private Members’ Bill on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets. In accordance with Parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when it receives its Second Reading.
Asked by: Gill Furniss (Labour - Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward legislative proposals to ban the use of electronic shock collars on (a) cats and (b) dogs.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government remains committed to banning electronic training collars controlled by hand-held devices that administer electric shocks to cats or dogs.
We will pursue new regulations to deliver this commitment on a revised timeline. Parliamentary business will be announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of cat abductions.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We understand the devastating impact that the theft of a pet can have. We have already introduced legislation to extend compulsory microchipping to cats in England from 10 June 2024. The new legislation is intended to increase the likelihood that lost or stolen pet cats can be reunited with their keeper.
The Government launched a Pet Theft Taskforce in May 2021 in response to concerns about a perceived increase in pet theft during covid restrictions. The Taskforce published its findings and recommendations in September of that year, including the creation of a specific offence. We are making improvements to the cat and dog microchipping regime in England in line with the taskforce’s recommendations.
The Honourable Member for Southend-West introduced a Pet Abduction Bill on 6 December and I welcome her interest in improving animal welfare. In accordance with parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when it receives its Second Reading.