England Ban Sales Of Kitten/ Puppies

England is set to ban pet shops and dealers from the sales of puppies and kittens under government plans.

According to the BBC, this means those wanting to buy or adopt a pet less than six month old will have to go to the breeder or a rescue center, as licensed sellers dealing in dogs and cats less than eight weeks old would be banned come 1 October.

Campaigners welcomed the announcement, but warned of “potential loopholes”.

The ban is aimed at reducing the health problems that emerge when animals are reared in poor conditions.

This represents victory for Lucy’s Law campaign who has been agitating for a ban to be implemented.

The campaign was named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was badly treated in the puppy farming system.

Lucy was rescued in 2013 at five years old from a Welsh puppy farm. She had a lot of health problems, including a curved spine as a result of being kept in a cramped cage, and epilepsy. She died in 2016.

About 150,000 people signed a petition supporting Lucy’s Law and was debated by the parliament in May.

There are no records of the number of puppies sold via third parties, but the animal charity Blue Cross has estimated it is between 40,000 and 80,000 per year in Great Britain.

The Department for Environment, Food and rural Affairs said fewer than 100 third party sellers – which includes some pet shops – are licensed in England.