DEFRA has updated guidance to reflect the changes due to come in to force on 6 April 2020.

The revised guidance is available on the IoL’s online library.  The updates to the guidance are marked as tracked changes. DEFRA said they have not published the full document, only the sections that are amended since the pet selling document is too long.

DEFRA said: “The ban on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens comes into force on 6 April and DEFRA is obliged to publish any revisions to the Animal Welfare (LAIA) Regulations guidance for pet selling at least 21 days before the new law comes into force.”

DEFRA said it planned to incorporate the necessary updates at the same time as the wider changes being developed to the LIAIA guidance.  These are not ready yet but DERFA has confirmed that it will include:

•    “beefing up” the references to what denotes breeding as they had comments that people may try and circumvent the ban by importing pregnant bitches and say they have bred the puppies – and there is evidence that this is happening. The guidance will make clear that the person has had to have some control over the complete mating process.

•    a clear statement which is cleared by DEFRA's legal team that “Buying or importing pregnant bitches from others does not encompass breeding for the purposes of this requirement.”

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