Following concerning conversations with sector officials, the Welsh Conservative spokesperson on Animal Welfare and Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged the Welsh Government to outline what support will be provided to animal rehoming organisations following the relaid Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

It is thought that the potential imposition of third party sales rules on animal rescue centres could drive demand for pets through over means, accidentally driving up the number of dog snatching incidents in Wales. On the issue, Janet submitted the following Written Question:

" Will the Minister outline what support will be made available to animal rescue and rehoming organisations in Wales to ensure that they can continue to rehome animals rescued from situations of neglect, if they are not exempt under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021?"

Speaking of the need for consideration, Janet said:  

“As the Regulations currently stand, animal rescues would need to be licensed and no animal charity in Wales would be able to rehome kittens or puppies until they’re six months of age, which could mean many young animals spend months in boarding waiting for the date they can be legally rehomed.

"Our animal rescue shelters are undertaking vital work, providing vulnerable and young animals with loving homes. I am greatly concerned that these regulations could hamper their ability to provide necessary shelter, and could work to only compound the dog snatching issue. Clarity from the Minister is urgently required.

“The gumption and gall of these dog snatching criminals is jaw dropping. According to reports, thieves have been cutting dog leads with scissors, whilst others have been known to pretend to be RSPCA workers. Constituents from across Aberconwy tell me that they remain greatly concerned about their well-being when taking their pets for a walk.

“One drive behind this increase in snatching incident is that demand for puppies seems to outstrip supply. In conversations with sector officials, it has been made plain that there is now real risk that, by being prevented to rehome those dogs aged under six months, snatching incidents could increase as criminals look to captialise.” 

Notes to Editors:  

• Dogs Lost has reported a 170% increase in the number of dogs stolen across the UK since the start of the pandemic. 
• The RSPCA, and other animal rescue and rehoming organisations, routinely rescue kittens and puppies well under the age of six months. Whilst the RSPCA make clear that they would not rehome any kitten or puppy until they were at-least eight weeks of age, the Regulations as laid would prevent these organisations from rehoming any cat or dog under the age of six months.

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