Nearly 50,000 backers want tighter regulation

The UK Government has responded to a petition with nearly 50,000 signatures calling for the mandatory licensing of pet rescue centres.

Issuing an official reply on June 6, a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said such facilities must already adhere to ‘existing statutory welfare requirements’, stating that under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, ‘any person responsible for an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, has a duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care’.

The spokesperson added, however, that the department was developing an ‘overarching approach to animal welfare’ with further details to be outlined ‘in due course’.

In the meantime, Defra said members of the public can check if rescue centres are registered with the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, adding people should report any concerns about the quality of care in rescue centres to the relevant local authority, which can investigate.

The official response was in reply to a petition calling for ‘licensing and regulation’ for dog and cat rescue centres, arguing a lack of ‘clear legal oversight’ creates opportunities for ‘unethical practices’ and alleged that some have been linked to irresponsible breeding, neglect and the misuse of donations.
 
The petition said this raises the risk of animals suffering in ‘poor conditions’ and public trust being undermined.

At time of writing the petition had accrued 46,104 signatures, more than 50,000 short of the 100,000 backers required to trigger a debate in the UK Parliament.

In its response, Defra said: “Animal rescue organisations must meet existing statutory welfare requirements.

“Moving forward, we are developing an overarching approach to animal welfare and will outline more detail in due course.

“The Government appreciates the important work that responsible animal sanctuaries as well as rescue and rehoming organisations do, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that animals taken into the care of these organisations are offered the opportunity of a forever home.”

Defra’s response was issued as a police investigation continues into the discovery of a large number of dogs’ bodies at a property in Essex, which according to press reports including from the BBC and Essex Live, was operating as a rescue centre.

In May, Essex Police charged a 25-year-old Billericay man with two animal cruelty offences and three counts of fraud after the remains of 37 dogs were discovered at property in Crays Hill, Billericay, in a joint operation with the RSPCA and Basildon Council.

Twenty-one live animals were recovered.

Another man initially arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and fraud was released on conditional bail.

Essex Police announced on Friday that officers had arrested a further suspect, a 25-year-old woman from London, on suspicion of animal cruelty in connection with the case.

In its update on June 6, the force said the remains of four further animals had been discovered when buildings were dismantled by the landowner.

To read and sign the petition and view Defra’s response, visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718660