British Government Wants to Crack Down on Puppy Mill Breeders

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
To improve animal welfare standards and put a stop to backyard breeding, Britain’s environment secretary could be placing a ban on all third-party puppy sales.


There’s no lack of horrible rescue stories or devastating facts about puppy mill breeders. These people, who put profit above everything else- including an animal’s well-being, are responsible for a significant percentage of abused and unfortunate pets around the world. In the United Kingdom, state officials seem to recognize the urgency of the matter and plan shutting the door on dubious breeding practices- starting with banning pet shops from selling puppies.


The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which is pushing the bill, is well aware of potential for misuse and loopholes that backyard breeders could exploit. The first concern rescue organizations and animal shelters expressed is that the puppy farmers could pose as sanctuaries or rescues, deceiving people looking to adopt their new four-legged best friend. The solution government proposes includes stricter inspections and mandatory licenses, which would ensure that their businesses are legit and up to standards. Here are the new rules for Brittain’s breeders, that are to take effect later this year:


  • obtain a license
  • puppies and kittens that are being sold have to be over eight weeks old
  • sales must be completed in person
  • puppies are to be shown with their mother
  • breeders can only sell puppies from their own litters


If all goes to plan, imposing stricter rules on breeders will not only improve the welfare of pets born in their care but stimulate more people to turn to rehoming centers, such as local shelters and rescue organizations, where they would be able to adopt a pet in need of a furrever home.


The ban on third-party puppy sale, particularly in pet shops, is just one of many regulations government plans to introduce in hopes of bettering lives of animals: one of them is increasing maximum prison sentences tenfold for animals abusers.


All I have to add is: way to go, UK! One can only hope that more and more countries across the world will realize how important is to protect our animal friends from people that mean to exploit and harm them.

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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