Changing rules could hit animal welfare charity
DOGSNHOMES WANTS EXEMPTION TO PROPOSED LAW
ONE Hampshire dog rescue is campaigning to change proposals that could see the banning of puppies imported from abroad.
New plans to crack down on puppy smuggling were published by the Government back in August.
The proposals also include raising the minimum age of importing a puppy from 15 weeks to six months, plus banning the import of heavily pregnant dogs to help protect puppy and mother welfare.
For DogsnHomes, these proposals could significantly impact how they rescue puppies from abroad.
Established in 2019, the Fleet rehoming charity rescues vulnerable puppies from private shelters in Portugal and places them in UK homes.
The rescue has re-homed more than 260 dogs in the last two years, even adopting dogs to Olympic athletes and astronauts.
Holly Reeves, who has volunteered with the charity since 2019, told HampshireLive the new bill could further harm the dogs they rescue.
She said: “We think the overall bill, to stop the horrendous practice of illegal smuggling, is great and we fully support that.
“However it does have this unintended consequence of stopping genuine dog rescues, like ourselves, from bringing over the youngest, most vulnerable pups.”
Around 75 per cent of the dogs that they rescue are under sixmonths old, and because they are so young they can adapt to domestic life much quicker.
Ms Reeves continued: “It will impact on the dogs welfare – the sooner they can settle into a home, get used to UK life with a family, the quicker we get that happy every after ending.”
If the six month ban is introduced, puppies will be forced to live in shelters for an extra two months. The shelters will also have their capacity to rescue dogs reduced because they won’t have as much room.
DogsnHomes is campaigning to add an exemption to the bill, so that they can continue to import dogs at three months and 21 days old.
To help the rescue, they are asking members of the public to email their concerns to help raise awareness of the impact the six month ban will have on dog rescues.
Read about the campaign at dogsnhomes.org.uk/support-us-2/ defraconsultation