New law tackles illegal pet trade
3 December 2025
The introduction of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill which has received Royal Assent (2nd December) will protect companion animals from illegal importation. BSAVA welcomes this development which now allows Defra to start work on implementing the reforms introduced by the Bill by means of relevant legislation.
The new reforms mean that irresponsible importers of dogs and cats will be deterred from importing excessive numbers of animals illegally as importers will be able to import only five pets per vehicle. In addition, pets travelling separately from their owner must do so within five days of their owner’s travel.
The Government will also be able to protect animals from suffering through lengthy journeys in poor conditions by banning the import of dogs and cats under six months old, those that have been subject to mutilations such as cropped ears or declawing and, those that are heavily pregnant. These measures will be subject to appropriate exemptions. The legislation will also protect public health by reducing the risk of zoonoses such as rabies and Brucella canis from being imported.
By making the trade less profitable and easier to detect, the reforms will disrupt those who profit from animal suffering. Responsible breeders who prioritise welfare will be able to compete on a level playing field. Pet owners can have greater confidence that pets available for purchase will not have been sourced through illegal or low-welfare routes. This reduces the risk of families facing the emotional and financial burden of caring for pets that have been exposed to such cruelty.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said:
“This Government pledged in its manifesto to end puppy smuggling, and this Act does exactly that. We’re strengthening the rules on pet travel to help ensure that animals imported into the country for sale are healthy, treated with care, and transported humanely. This legislation is an important step forward in protecting both pets and prospective pet owners from unnecessary suffering at the hands of heartless traders.”
Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers, who introduced the legislation via a Private Members’ Bill said:
“As a vet, I’ve treated many dogs with cruelly cropped ears or docked tails, leaving them physically scarred and emotionally traumatised. Knowing this Bill will help us put a stop to this abuse and have a bigger impact on animal welfare than I could possibly have achieved in a lifetime treating individual animals demonstrates how important this legislation will prove to be.
Thanks to support from Defra, animal welfare organisations and pet lovers across the country, we got the Animal Welfare Bill through the Commons, through the Lords, and today passed into law.”
BSAVA, as a member of the Canine Feline Sector Group (CFSG) and BVA, has collaborated over the past four years to reiterate to Government the need for new legislation to tackle illegal imports of dogs and cats which compromise animal health and welfare and pose a risk to public health. We are aware that veterinary professionals in small animal practice see the reality of such imports in practice on a regular basis. In progressing our activities in this area, we will continue to work with key stakeholders as part of introducing the relevant legislation.
Access the Defra announcement here: Pet smuggling crackdown with new law – GOV.UK and information about CFSG here https://www.cfsg.org.uk/about-us/