Latest news with #petimports
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent RSPCA warning over imported dogs
An animal charity has urged the UK government to implement stricter regulations on the import of dogs, citing concerns over disease transmission and behavioural problems. The RSPCA highlighted government statistics that 320,000 pets entered the UK via travel schemes and 44,000 as commercial imports in 2023, warning of 'ticking time bombs' due to inadequate health testing. There is currently no licensing requirement for animal rescue organisations in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, contributing to the unregulated import of animals. A new Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers, has passed the Commons with cross-party support. The bill aims to reduce non-commercial animal entry, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant animals, and prohibit the import of mutilated dogs and cats, such as those with docked ears.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Imported dogs could carry disease or behaviour risk, RSPCA warns
An animal charity has called for stricter regulations on animal rescues importing dogs into the UK, citing concerns about disease risks and behavioural issues Government statistics reveal that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles likened the process to 'Deliveroo for dogs' and called on the Government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: 'The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. 'Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported, they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. 'They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem.' There is no requirement for rescue organisations to be licensed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It comes weeks after a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and introduce a halt on the import of dogs and cats who have been 'mutilated', including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. Dr Chambers said: 'As a vet, I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling. It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare.' He added: 'Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial. He criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, and a party colleague hit out at the platforms' role in publishing animal abuse. He said: 'One reason that there is such an interest in dogs with cropped ears is that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears. Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation. 'They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Imported dogs could carry disease or behaviour risk, RSPCA warns
An animal charity has called for stricter regulations on animal rescues importing dogs into the UK, citing concerns about disease risks and behavioural issues Government statistics reveal that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles likened the process to ' Deliveroo for dogs' and called on the Government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: 'The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. 'Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported, they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. 'They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem.' There is no requirement for rescue organisations to be licensed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It comes weeks after a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and introduce a halt on the import of dogs and cats who have been 'mutilated', including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. Dr Chambers said: 'As a vet, I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling. It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare.' He added: 'Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial. He criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, and a party colleague hit out at the platforms' role in publishing animal abuse. He said: 'One reason that there is such an interest in dogs with cropped ears is that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears. Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation. 'They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this.'
South China Morning Post
18-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Red carpet for pets as quarantine eased in Hong Kong
Belatedly but rightly, Hong Kong has loosened the leash on pet imports, with quarantine for cats and dogs from mainland China slashed from 120 days to 30 starting from this month. While the change may help reduce cross-border animal smuggling activities, it may also increase the demand for quarantine and related facilities and services. The authorities should closely monitor the situation and ensure there will be adequate support. Advertisement Officials are not wrong in rejecting calls for more flexibility at this stage, including partial or full quarantine at home. But they promise to designate more checkpoints and longer hours for pet transport from the mainland, subject to the outcome of the first phase of implementation and the available manpower. Separately, talks with mainland authorities are under way for residents to temporarily bring their pets northbound with more flexible quarantine requirements. Under the new rule, incoming animals shall enter via one of the three land border control points – Shenzhen Bay, Lok Ma Chau and Heung Yuen Wai – between 9am and 5pm. Owners are required to have their pets implanted with a conforming microchip, hold a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, obtain satisfactory results from rabies antibody titre testing, and possess an animal health certificate issued by recognised mainland veterinarians. The government believes there will be sufficient facilities to meet demand, saying the existing quarantine facilities for cats and dogs have been increased from 21 to 34, and 20 to 30, respectively. With the shortened duration, the capacity will be increased up to seven times. But to those who are eager to bring in their furry friends, they may still have to wait a considerably long time to use the facilities. The 30-day rule for animals from the mainland is still relatively stringent compared to waivers for other places, including Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Britain and Japan. Striking a balance between health risks and animal welfare remains the key. This is especially important as the quarantine policy has implications for a city that is eagerly opening the door to former residents and new talent who may be put off by restrictive pet control. Advertisement
