Exclusive: Pet Owners Just 51 Weeks Away From Government’s Shock New Law
Dog and cat owners have just over a year to prepare for a shock shake-up of pet ownership as the Government prepares to introduce sweeping new laws.
Owners will be forced to obtain a licence to keep a pet under the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which is due to come into force in 2024.
The new legislation will also impose strict new breeding and selling rules on cats and dogs – with jail terms of up to five years for those who fail to comply.
The Government claims the measures are needed to tackle irresponsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare.
But critics argue the new laws will place an unfair burden on responsible owners and could even lead to more pets being abandoned.
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is currently making its way through Parliament and is expected to become law by the end of the year.
Once it is in force, owners will have just 51 weeks to obtain a licence for their pet.
The licence will cost £20 and will be valid for three years.
To obtain a licence, owners will need to provide proof of their pet’s microchip and vaccinations.
They will also need to demonstrate that they have adequate knowledge of how to care for their pet.
Owners who fail to obtain a licence could face a fine of up to £1,000.
The new law will also introduce strict new breeding and selling rules for cats and dogs.
Breeders will be required to register with the Government and will only be able to sell animals to licensed owners.
Anyone who sells a cat or dog without a licence could face a jail term of up to five years.
The Government says the new measures are needed to tackle irresponsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare.
A Defra spokesperson said: “The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is a landmark piece of legislation that will transform the lives of millions of pets in England.
“It will introduce a range of tough new measures to crack down on irresponsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare standards.
“We believe that these measures are necessary to ensure that all pets are properly cared for and to reduce the number of animals that are abandoned or neglected.”
However, critics have argued that the new laws will place an unfair burden on responsible owners.
The Kennel Club said: “We are concerned that the new licensing scheme will place an unnecessary burden on responsible pet owners.
“We believe that the Government should focus on enforcing existing animal welfare laws rather than introducing new red tape.”
The RSPCA said: “We support the Government’s aim of improving animal welfare, but we are concerned that the new licensing scheme could lead to more pets being abandoned.
“We urge the Government to reconsider the licensing scheme and to focus on measures that will help to reduce the number of unwanted pets.”
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is due to be debated in the House of Lords in the coming weeks.
It is expected to become law by the end of the year and will come into force in 2024.
Owners will have just 51 weeks to obtain a licence for their pet once the law is in force.
Failure to obtain a licence could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
The new law will also introduce strict new breeding and selling rules for cats and dogs.
Breeders will be required to register with the Government and will only be able to sell animals to licensed owners.
Anyone who sells a cat or dog without a licence could face a jail term of up to five years..
