Ban on third-party pup and kitten sales is backed by government

PUPPY farms in England are being targeted in a government plan to ban the sale of puppies and kittens by pet shops and other commercial dealers.

Anyone buying or adopting a pet less than six months old will have to deal directly with the breeder or a rescue centre under the proposed ban.

The move aims to reduce serious health problems and socialisation issues which afflict pets kept in poor conditions by unscrupulous, profitdriven breeders.

It comes on the back of the prominent Lucy’s Law campaign, which calls for an immediate halt to the sale of young pets by third-party commercial dealers.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove paid tribute to the campaign, saying: “A ban on third-party sales will ensure the nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in life.

“People who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade.”

A petition supporting Lucy’s Law has been signed by nearly 150,000 people and was debated in Parliament in May.

The consultation follows a call for evidence on the ban which ran from February until May.

Marc Abraham, of the Pup Aid campaign, said irresponsible breeders have for years used third parties to keep themselves hidden from the buying public and the proposed ban will make all breeders accountable.

In June, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths told AMs that the ban was “worthy of investigation”.

She said she would be discussing options on a possible third-party ban.