Avoid illegal dog sellers this Christmas, councils warn

People looking to buy a puppy for a loved one this Christmas should check to make sure they are not buying from an illegal seller as the number of pet sales skyrocketed during the pandemic, councils have warned.

The latest figures show a total of 3.2 million households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. With Christmas a typically popular time for people to buy pets, the LGA says people should be cautious of who they are buying from, particularly when agreeing a sale through online marketplaces

Council regulatory services teams work extremely hard to try to prevent sales by illegal and irresponsible sellers, but these teams can often face difficulties with capacity, exacerbated when there is a surge in demand for pets. Local environmental health teams are responsible for inspecting the local takeaway, investigating noise nuisance and monitoring air quality, as well as licensing animal breeders, highlighting the pressure of competing demands and the need for more resources.

The LGA, the body hich represents councils in England and Wales, says that the Government’s Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill – currently making its way through Parliament – should take into account the lack of dedicated and specialist council staff to undertake a range of animal welfare work.

The need for support and resources to recruit and train new professionals, as well as for the Government to ensure that councils have sufficient long-term funding to properly utilise these staff, is crucial.

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:

“Pet sales have risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and we expect increased demand in dogs this Christmas as we see most years.

“If you are looking online on the likes of Facebook for pets this year, do your research and take time to ensure that you are purchasing a pet from a responsible breeder who is, for example, happy for you to see the puppy with its mum and has the correct licence to trade.

“Buying pets from licensed sellers ensures the animals meet certain regulations and will have come from safe conditions. It also means that the seller can be traced if any issues arise after purchase.

“As demand rises, the number of people looking to profit does too, and councils need increased, specialist resources in this area to ensure illegal traders get caught before any animals are harmed.”