Lucy’s Law Confirmed In England, Bans Pet Stores From Selling Puppie

by Lori Ennis

Published: December 26th, 2018

lucys law confirmed in england bans pet stores from selling puppie

Those looking for puppies or kittens in the United Kingdom will now need to look at breeders or rescue groups, as a new bill called Lucy’s Law mandates that pet stores are no longer allowed to sell them.

The United Kingdom’s Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley announced that no longer will pet stores or other third parties be able to sell puppies or kittens under six-months-old. Instead, those seeking new family members will either have to go to registered, reputable breeders or rescue groups/centers.

According to a public consultation, over 95% of citizens support the ban on stores selling puppies and kittens in an effort to bring the number of puppy farms/mills down and to advocate for animal welfare. The

According to Rutely, the ban will make low welfare breeders less motivated to farm/mill animals as they will no longer be able to trade with third-party sellers. He said that the ban on third-party sales is to ensure that the nations beloved pets get the right starts in life, and that Lucy’s Law will continue the work that previous welfare actions (such as banning puppy sales for dogs under eight-weeks-old) have started.

Marc Abraham is a vet and the founder of PupAid and the Lucy’s Law campaign to ban this third-party sales and said that this shows how grassroots campaigning can make a difference. He is thrilled that Lucy’s Law has been confirmed and that illegal puppy dealing and inappropriate activities of breeders will not be rewarded.

Lucy’s Law means that every breeder must now be transparent and will be held accountable and prospective pet parents have safety in knowing their pet came from a situation that took care to preserve the animal’s welfare. He hopes that this is a step in making these practices, as well as the smuggling of pets treated poorly into the country for resell, over in other places outside of the U.K.’s borders as well.

Organizations that protect animals are mostly thrilled, with Battersea saying that the days of unscrupulous puppy dealers who have no regard for animals are near the end, and Dog Trust hopes it’s a step in the right direction to better regulate rehoming sectors as well.

A spokesperson from Dog Trust said that already, irresponsible sellers will set themselves up as pretend breeders, even going so far as to have fake homes and puppy mamas onsite to trick buyers. They’ll then ship puppies from puppy farms in from overseas. Dog Trust hopes that this loophole is also looked into as part of this move toward better welfare for animals.

And as always, Dog Trust wants to remind people who are considering puppies that dogs are for life, not just Christmas, and hopes that the support from citizens to ban pet store/ third party sales reinforces this idea.

Lori Ennis

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England’s Lucy’s Law To Ban Pet Stores From Selling Pets

A ban preventing licensed dog and cat sellers from selling pets under eight-weeks-old will come into effect in England on October 1, and may be followed by a ban on pet shops and dealers selling any puppies or kittens unless they come from a rescue or a breeder. In England, a ban against licensed dealers selling pets under eight weeks of age will go into effect on October 1, and proposals that will prohibit pet stores and dealers in England from selling any puppies or kittens are under consultation. This means that anyone looking to buy or adopt a pet (who is under six-months-old) will either need to go to a rescue center or find a specific breeder. Supporters of the ban hope that health problems that come up when pets are raised in ‘puppy mill’ type situations will be reduced. It is a victory for those who support Lucy’s Law–a campaign that is named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was poorly treated at such a puppy mill. She was so abused from being sired out at a Welsh Puppy farm that she suffered complications she eventually died from in 2016. In Great Britain, the Blue Cross (an animal charity) estimates that between 40,000 and 80,000 puppies are sold by third parties, though there are no records to specifically support that. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs claims that fewer than 100 third-party sellers are even licensed in England. This includes some pet stores. Related: British Government Wants to Crack Down on Puppy Mill Breeders Michael Gove is the Environment Secretary and said that this legislation would stop people who have no regard for pet welfare from profiting from the horrible trade industry. Marc Abraham is a veterinarian who launched the campaign for Lucy’s Law and said that this would make breeders and puppy ‘farms’ transparent and accountable–a good move for animal welfare and pet health overall. With the new legislation, pet shops will no longer be able to blame breeders for problems, and breeders won’t be able to blame pet stores. Paula Boyden is with Dogs Trust and says the legislation is a good start but fears that loopholes may need to be closed so animals don’t suffer. She says it needs more measures that will make re-homing/rescue organizations meet stronger regulations as well. Chris Wainwright is the deputy chief executive of the RSPCA and said that he hoped this ‘overdue’ ban would raise welfare standards and end the trade of rogue dealers who prey on the unsuspecting public. No longer will third parties be able to take the criticism of irresponsible breeders away by being the middle-person, often when families have no idea and believe they are buying from reputable breeders. Related: Historic Bill Banning Puppy Mill Pet Store Sales in Hands of California Governor Obviously, there are those who are not so thrilled about the legislation. The Pet Industry Federation said that puppy mills should, of course, be closed down but in banning third-party sales, they fear large underground sales rings occurring and this could be just as bad (or worse) for animal welfare. As of October 1, licensed pet sellers will have to have their license number listed and breeders will have to show puppies by their mothers before sales are allowed. Campaigners in Wales are also calling to implement Lucy’s Law and the Welsh government is looking at banning third-party sales as well.

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Are Bengal Cats Really That Wild? Here's What Science Has to Say.

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Can Stress or Anxiety Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?

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How to Clean Dog Diarrhea From Carpet

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How to Get Your Dog to Stop Counter Surfing

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Is Dog Food Bad for Cats?

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Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be a B.A.R.K. Ranger?

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How Often Should I Feed My Fish?

Keeping aquarium fish is such a rewarding experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to do so – there are many things to know about these wonderful creatures, and caring for them can require a lot of patience and plenty of learning. Of course, it all starts with the basic stuff, and it doesn’t get more basic than feeding your pet! A common question by pet fish owners is related to feeding frequency, as their aquatic friends can’t really let them know when they are hungry. So, without further ado, here’s how often should you feed your fish depending on their unique characteristics.How Often Should I Feed My Fish?There are a lot of factors that will determine the feeding schedule you have for the inhabitants of your saltwater or freshwater aquarium. The frequency of feeding your fish depends on the type of fish, their age, and the specific conditions of your tank. Adult tropical fish are most commonly fed once or twice a day. You can feed them a small amount of food that they can consume within a few minutes. Cold-water adult fish, on the other hand, such as  goldfish, can be fed two or three times a day. In any case, be cautious not to overfeed as it can lead to water quality issues.Young fish, however, may require more frequent feeding, at least three times a day, because they are still growing rapidly. Of course, some specific types of fish have equally specific dietary requirements. Research the particular needs of the species you are keeping to ensure you are providing the right type and amount of food. Your local pet fish store can also provide guidelines, as can your vet. When you are feeding your fish, it is important to stick around and observe them, at least initially. Paying attention to your fish during feeding can provide you with plenty of information. If they consume all the food quickly, you can consider increasing the amount slightly. If there is uneaten food after a few minutes, you may be overfeeding. Try to find that perfect balance. Another thing to consider is the so-called “fasting day”. This means not giving your fish any food for a period of 24 hours – and don’t worry, this won’t harm them. It's a good idea to incorporate a fasting day into the weekly routine. This helps mimic their natural feeding patterns and allows their digestive systems to rest. Most aquarists fast their fish for one day of the week, which is more than enough for your fish to reap the benefits.How Much Food Should I Give My Fish?A good rule of thumb is to always give less food than you think your fish need – and add more additionally throughout multiple feedings during the day if needed. Remember that overfeeding can lead to poor water quality as uneaten food breaks down and produces waste. It's crucial to maintain a balance and not exceed the recommended amount. In such cases, it is good to have a  special aquarium water quality monitor, which can tell you the key information about the water in the tank. Additionally, some fish species are more active during certain times of the day, so adjusting feeding times to coincide with their natural behavior can be beneficial.

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Dog-Killing Flatworm Discovered in California

Fleas and ticks aren’t the only parasites that dog owners have to fear in southern California this summer. Scientists from the University of California, Riverside, are warning dog owners to keep their pooches out of the water this summer after they have discovered a potentially deadly parasite.A deadly flatworm species that has previously only existed in Texas and other Golf Coast states, has made its way to the west coast and is now present in the portion of the Colorado River that runs through California. The worm, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm commonly known as the liver fluke. The parasite can cause canine schistosomiasis, an illness that affects the liver and intestine of dogs. Although treatment options are available once the dog becomes infected, they aren’t always effective leaving vets no other option than to euthanize the dog. “Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that it’s there,” said Adler Dillman, a nematology professor at the University of California, Riverside. “If you’re swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril.” After learning about several cases of infection in local dogs, professor Dillman and his research team headed to Blythe, a border town in Riverside County. All of the sick dogs have spent time there, swimming in the river.Since snails are responsible for transmitting the infection, researchers collected more than 2,000 along the banks of the Colorado River. The team used DNA testing to identify the snails and the flatworm.The team was astonished to find not one, but two species of snail that can carry the parasite!“We actually found two species of snail that can support H. americana in the river in Blythe and we found both snails actively shedding this worm,” said Dillman, according to UC Riverside News. “Not only was it a surprise to find H. americana, we also didn’t know that the snails were present here.”The flatworm first makes its way into the snail's body, traveling through its system. Once transformed, it moves out to find a mammal host to infect. Without a host, the parasite can’t survive more than 24 hours on its own. Dogs and raccoons are particularly susceptible to becoming infected after coming into contact with water, whether from drinking or swimming in it. The worm gets inside the veins of the intestinal lining, where it develops into an adult and mates. The presence of adults in the veins isn’t as problematic as the eggs that get into the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart. The dog’s immune system reacts by forming clusters of cells, called granulomas. In time, the organ tissues stop functioning.It may take several months for a dog to show any signs of the infection. Symptoms start slowly and include loss of appetite, and progress to vomiting, diarrhea, profound weight loss, and signs of liver disease. “If your dog has these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, it’s a good precaution to ask your veterinarian for a simple fecal test,” said Emily Beeler, a veterinarian with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Treatment typically involves use of multiple medications and close monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian.”Although potentially deadly for our canine companions, this parasite can’t cause the same issues in humans. “ It can cause swimmers itch, a red rash where it penetrates human skin. But it’s not able to cause an infection,” Dillman explained.Steer clear of bodies of water that could contain infected snails to prevent your pooch from catching flatworms. If your pooch can’t resist taking a dip, monitor them for symptoms of flatworm infection in the weeks afterward. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Holiday Gifts for Dogs to Include Them in the Fun

It’s the gift giving season, and you’re thinking about all of the people you’ll buy presents for, but why not also add your canine companion to the list? With so many great products on the market, you can find the ideal gift for your dog so they can participate in the opening of presents with everyone they love. Here are some tips to help you find something that your pooch will get excited over.

Pregnant Dog Saved from Shipping Container by U.S. Coast Guard

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston got a big surprise when they found a dog trapped inside a shipping container. While inspecting the containers, Lucas Loe, Bryan Wainscott, Jose Reyes, and Ryan McMahon heard scratching and barking coming from inside one of them. After bringing the container down to ground level—it had been roughly 25 feet up—they opened it to find an adorable dog desperate to get out.A Dog Rescued Against All OddsThe poor dog had been stuck in that container, which had junked vehicles and was set to be shipped overseas, for at least eight days without any food or water. How she got in there in the first place is a mystery, but they think she might’ve been in one of the cars that was put in the container.What makes this story even more incredible is the fact that there were thousands of shipping containers along with the one that the friendly dog was trapped in, so she’s very lucky that the inspectors heard her and rescued her in time. They named her Connie, and her story quickly went viral. She’s even referred to as Connie the Container Dog. A video posted on Facebook shows her rescue.According to a U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Facebook post, Connie was thrilled and grateful to be free, but she was also tired and hungry. She was taken to Pasadena Animal Shelter to be examined before being flown to Forever Changed Animal Rescue (FCAR) in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She was diagnosed with heartworm and was found to be underweight.A New Discovery: Connie the Container Dog Is PregnantAfter her rescuers noticed that Connie’s mammary glands were swollen, they worried that she’d given birth to and lost her puppies while she was trapped in the container. But an ultrasound revealed that she is indeed pregnant.Once she’s healed and ready to be adopted, Connie will be looking for a forever home. And her puppies will also be looking for homes once they’re old enough. In the meantime, she’ll stay with a veterinarian who will keep a close eye on her and make sure that she and her puppies are doing well.To keep up with Connie’s journey, you can follow FCAR’s Facebook page.You can also watch this video to see Connie and her rescuers:

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Study Finds Link Between Having a Dog and Girls' Physical Activity

A new study finds that having a furry companion at home could help promote healthy physical activity in children, especially young girls. According to research from the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia, getting a new dog or losing a furry companion is linked with a child’s level of physical activity. This new research shows that having a dog could help promote healthy movement behavior in children. The study's lead researcher, Emma Adams, highlights the positive influence of dog ownership on children’s activity levels, pointing to potential benefits that start from early childhood.“We saw a significant jump in daily physical activity in children whose families acquired a dog over the study period, while those whose families experienced the loss of a dog recorded a steep drop-off in activity,” added Adams.The research teams from Telethon Institute and the University of Western Australia followed 600 children aged between two and seven years old, over a three-year period to determine the impact dog ownership (or loss) has on physical activity levels.The results showed that getting a dog or losing a family companion is associated with significant changes in children’s activity levels. Surprisingly, young girls showed the most significant response.“The results were particularly noticeable in girls, with girls who acquired a dog increasing their light intensity activity and games by almost an hour a day (52 minutes).”“On the flipside, there was a marked drop in light intensity activity and games in girls who experienced the loss of a dog, with their activity dropping by 62 minutes a day,” said Adams according to Independant. Children wore accelerometers during waking hours for seven days at a time to measure sedentary time, screen time, and physical activity. Parents were also asked about their childrens’ activity levels. Half of the children participating in the study didn’t own a dog at any point during the study period, 204 children had a dog for the entire three years, 58 got a dog during the study period, and 31 children lost their furry companion during the course of the study.Data showed that girls who got a dog increased their light intensity activities and games by almost an hour a day (52 minutes). At the same time, girls who lost a dog experienced a decrease of 62 minutes a day in the same activities. Researchers observed that unstructured physical activity, such as walking with the dog or playing in the garden saw an increase for both boys and girls who got a dog during the study. “If we excluded dog walking and playing, there were no changes in the unstructured physical activity, so we could see the changes in physical activity were actually from the addition of those dog-related activities,” said Adams. On the other hand, children who lost their dog decreased their unstructured physical activity by 10.2 sessions a week for girls and 7.7 sessions for boys. “Regular physical activity from an early age is essential for children’s physical and mental health development, but few children or adolescents are meeting recommended daily levels. Our findings indicate that having a dog in the family could help promote healthy movement behaviors in children and reduce their short- and long-term risk of chronic disease.”Although this study discovered a positive link between dog ownership and increased physical activity Adams stresses that it’s not a call for everyone to get a dog. “It’s important to note that we’re not telling families to just go out and get a dog - having a dog comes with many responsibilities and won’t be right for everyone.”Instead, this study encourages dog owners to use canine companionship to increase physical activity. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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