Tougher new licensing rules to better protect thousands of animals are introduced this month (from 1 October 2018) as part of reforms to safeguard the welfare of Britain’s pets.

These rules tighten up laws around selling pets, breeding dogs and the business of caring for animals. This information is provided by Bury’s Trading Standards team:

Smaller establishments – sometimes called ‘backstreet breeders’ – which supply thousands of dogs to families each year, as well as larger commercial breeders, must meet strict welfare criteria to get a licence. It is now illegal to sell puppies younger than eight weeks and anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a year must apply for a formal licence.

Anyone trading commercially in pets online needs to be properly licensed, to help make reputable sellers easily accessible to prospective buyers.

The rules also cover how pet shops, dog home boarders, kennels, catteries and day care centres are licensed. They introduce a single ‘animal activities licence’ to improve the process and make enforcement easier. Other animal activities covered include businesses who hire out horses and the exhibiting of animals for performances.

Bury’s licensing service, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Centre of Excellence and barrister Malcolm Hope, have been providing a series of workshops for some of the businesses affected by the new laws to help them understand them and ensure they are prepared for the changes.