Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
(DAERA) Minister has published his Department's
Way Forward document and consultation responses following a
public consultation on the sale and supply of puppies and kittens
in Northern Ireland.
The Minister has outlined that officials will now take forward
legislation to require sellers and suppliers of puppies, and
sellers of kittens, under six months of age, to register with
their local council. The registered seller and/or supplier will
be required to meet specified conditions of registration.
One condition of registration is ‘Lucy's Law', which will ban the
third-party sale of puppies and kittens. This means that anyone
selling and supplying puppies and selling kittens in Northern
Ireland, must have bred them themselves.
Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to announce that Northern
Ireland will soon have its own version of Lucy's Law, ensuring
that we are giving the same protections to puppies and kittens
that exist in other parts of the UK.
“I want owners to have confidence that their new pets have been
cared to the high standards of welfare that all animals deserve.
This ban on the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, as well
as accompanying mandatory registration for sellers and suppliers,
will lead to better outcomes for the animals, reducing the risk
of disease and improving socialisation and habituation.
Purchasing directly from a breeder helps to avoid early
separation from the mother, and ultimately, will see more puppies
and kittens raised in responsible, caring environments.
“It is clear from the consultation that there is overwhelming
support for this vital animal welfare intervention in our
society, am I am grateful to those who took the time to respond
to the consultation and voiced their views. I look forward to
seeing this key commitment from my Animal Welfare Pathway 2025-27
delivered.”
The Minister concluded: “It is anticipated that legislation will
be made this autumn, and I have asked that my officials work
closely with local councils, who play a vital role in the
enforcement of legislation relating to companion animals, in
planning for its effective implementation.
“Improving animal welfare is close to my heart as Minister and
Lucy's Law is about seeing more of our puppies and kittens being
given the best start in life.”
Laura Orr, Regional Public Affairs Officer at Dogs Trust and
Chair of Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG)
said:“We welcome DAERA's proposals following the
consultation on the sale and supply of puppies and kittens.
NICAWG supports the recommendations, which will require sellers
and suppliers of puppies, and sellers of kittens, under six
months of age, to register with their local council and for a
register of those sellers to be publicly accessible.
“We fully support this proposed ban on the third-party sale of
puppies and kittens. Buying directly from
breeders offers greater protection for the
animals, and helps tackle irresponsible breeding and
selling, which is something NICAWG have
been campaigning on for many years. We believe
robust implementation of the legislation across council areas
will be critical, but will lead to improved animal welfare
standards for companion animals in Northern Ireland, which is
fantastic news.”
The document is available on the DAERA website at: Public
Consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and supply of
puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: DAERA Minister announces next steps towards
introducing new rules on selling and supplying puppies and
kittens in Northern Ireland. Minister Muir is pictured with
Laura Orr and Adam Clowes from Dogs Trust, members of Northern
Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG).
- Minister Muir conducted a twelve-week consultation seeking
views on proposed new rules for selling and supplying puppies and
kittens in Northern Ireland from 2 June to 25 August 2025. More
details at: Public
Consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and supply of
puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland.
- This policy ambition was first announced in a commitment as
part of the Minister's Animal
Welfare Pathway 2025-27.
