25 Nov Animal Welfare Bill

What the new pet import bill means for UK pet owners

The UK government’s Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is a big step against puppy smuggling and cruelty-linked imports of our furry friends. It will close long-standing loopholes that has meant the trade in mutilated animals has been able to continue, despite being illegal here.

But what does it actually mean for you as a loving pet parent?

What is the bill?

The bill is what’s known as a framework law. It doesn’t spell out every rule, but it does give government ministers the power to bring in tougher rules on importing dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK.

Think of it as a legal toolbox. The detailed changes will come later in regulations, but the direction of travel is clear; much less suffering for animals brought into the country.

Why is it being introduced?

Vets and animal welfare charities like the Dogs Trust have warned for years about:

• Puppy and kitten smuggling from breeding farms abroad
• Mutilated pets, such as dogs who’ve had their ears cropped, being imported even though those kinds of procedures are illegal here
• Heavily pregnant animals being brought in to give birth in the UK, with litters then being sold as “UK‑bred”

The RSPCA has recorded a rise of 700% in reports of cropped ears in the past decade. The bill is a step towards eradicating ear cropping for good.

This new bill aims to close loopholes that have allowed this trade to grow, especially after the demand for pets, in particular dogs and puppies, after the pandemic.

What could change?

Using the powers in the new bill, the government is expected to:

• Ban or restrict very young animals from being imported, likely stopping the import of very young puppies and kittens altogether. It will raise the minimum age for importing from 15 weeks to six months.
• Ban imports of mutilated animals, such as ear‑cropped dogs or declawed cats
• Block the import of heavily pregnant animals (more than 42 days pregnant), to stop them being used as breeding machines
• Tighten ’pet travel’ rules, making it harder for traders to pretend commercial imports are just holiday trips with pets

Existing health rules like microchipping, rabies vaccination and paperwork will remain.

How might this affect ordinary owners?

For most responsible owners, the impact should be limited and mainly positive.

Travelling with your pet
If you travel with your pet, you may see stricter limits on how many animals you can bring into the UK at once, and tighter rules if someone else transports your pet for you. For one or two pets, it should mostly be a case of checking the rules before you travel and making sure your paperwork is in order.

Rehoming from abroad
Rehoming dogs and cats from overseas rescue centres ad charities might become more tightly controlled. Young puppies and kittens will be harder to import, and some mutilated rescue animals may not be allowed in at all. This might seem harsh, but it is meant to reduce the suffering caused by long‑distance transport and cruel breeding.

Buying a puppy or kitten in the UK
Over time, you should see fewer suspiciously cheap, imported pets for sale online, and so you’ll be less at risk of bringing home an animal with hidden health problems linked to smuggling.

What should pet parents do now?

• Check official pet travel guidance before booking your trips
• Use reputable pet couriers who understand the rules and regulations about transporting your pet overseas
• If you’re rehoming a pet from abroad, work only with established rescues that follow all import laws
• When buying a pet in the UK, insist on seeing the mother, the home environment and proper health records

The bill is aimed at smugglers and traders, not everyday pet owners, so for fellow pet parents, it should bring clearer rules, safer pets and more peace of mind.