Tougher licensing controls to protect puppies
The consultation will clarify that online retailers selling puppies should be treated in the same way as high street pet shops.
Tougher dog breeding licensing to protect the welfare of puppies from back street breeders will be introduced under proposals announced by Defra today.
A consultation will strengthen the regulations around dog breeding and pet sales to make it easier to identify and take action against irresponsible breeders.
Animal welfare minister George Eustice said: “We are a nation of dog lovers but it is crucial that puppies are cared for properly and socialised in the first three months if they are to enjoy healthy and happy lives.
“We are aiming to reform the licensing regime we have so that smaller puppy breeding establishments must abide by the same regulations and licensing rules as bigger breeders so that the worst offenders can be dealt with more quickly.
“We are also reviewing other animal related licensed activities such as pet sales to address problems associated with the growing trend for internet sales that can contribute to impulse buying."
The consultation will tighten up the licensing regulations for breeders by clarifying existing rules requiring any breeding businesses to have a licence.
The proposals will also increase the number of smaller backstreet breeders that will require a licence by make a license a requirement for anyone producing three or more litters of puppies in a year.
Furthermore, the consultation will make it a requirement for breeders to comply with the conditions and for local authorities to use them.
Welcoming the news Claire Horton, CEO of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, said: “Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has long recognised the cruel problem of backstreet breeding in Britain. The Government’s proposals are extremely encouraging, having listened to the important calls we have made in our nationwide campaign to end this unacceptable practice."
For the first time, the consultation will clarify that online retailers selling puppies should be treated in the same way as high street pet shops by local authorities – meaning they must abide by the same licensing and welfare regulations.
Through the Pet Advisory Action Group (PAAG), Defra and welfare charities have worked with six major online advertising sites to remove over 130,000 inappropriate adverts of pets where there were concerns about the welfare and background of the animal.
PAAG are now looking to broaden this successful approach to other sites, and to educate prospective buyers to what they should be looking out for if they are looking for a pet online.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
