Government backs expert committee’s findings on new pet import protections

The Government has endorsed the Animal Sentience Committee’s conclusion that the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 will deliver positive welfare outcomes for imported pets, following the Committee’s detailed assessment of the legislation. The exchange between the Committee and Defra marks a key moment in the UK’s efforts to curb puppy smuggling, illegal pet imports and the movement of mutilated or vulnerable animals.

Government backs expert findings on new import protections

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published its formal response on 13 January 2026, welcoming the Animal Sentience Committee’s August 2025 letter evaluating the then‑Bill. The Committee, established under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, concluded that the measures would strengthen safeguards for companion animals entering the UK and help address the growing risks associated with high‑volume pet movements.

The Government said it was “pleased to note” the Committee’s view that the Act should result in positive welfare outcomes once implemented, and reiterated its commitment to ending puppy smuggling. It also acknowledged the Committee’s concerns about the potential welfare impact of prolonged kennelling for animals detained for non‑compliance, confirming that the Act includes powers to minimise the time seized animals spend in kennels.

What the Committee highlighted

In its 20 August 2025 letter, the Animal Sentience Committee noted that non‑commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets had risen from around 100,000 in 2011 to more than 320,000 in 2023, increasing opportunities for fraudulent activity and illegal trade.

The Committee supported the Bill’s core provisions, including:

• Banning imports of puppies and kittens under six months.
• Prohibiting the import of heavily pregnant animals.
• Preventing the import of dogs and cats who have been mutilated, such as ear‑cropped dogs or declawed cats.
• Closing loopholes that allow commercial imports to be disguised as personal pet travel.

It also noted that the restrictions could help reduce the risk of importing diseases such as Brucella canis, particularly in cases involving pregnant or recently aborted animals.

The Committee’s main caution concerned the welfare implications of detaining non‑compliant animals, urging the Government to ensure that any secondary legislation limits kennelling times.

Government response

Defra’s response confirmed that the Act contains regulation‑making powers specifically designed to address the Committee’s concerns about kennelling. These powers will allow the Government to set rules aimed at reducing the time seized animals spend in detention, thereby mitigating potential welfare harms.

The Government also emphasised its longstanding support for the legislation, which was introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Dr Danny Chambers MP and Lord Trees. The Bill received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025 and is now the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025.

Background to the Act

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 introduces new restrictions on the non‑commercial import of companion animals to improve welfare and combat illegal trade. Key measures include:

• A ban on importing puppies and kittens under six months.
• Restrictions on importing heavily pregnant animals.
• A prohibition on importing animals who have undergone illegal mutilations.
• Limits on the number of animals that can travel in a single vehicle.
• Requirements that animals travel within five days of their owner to prevent misuse of non‑commercial travel rules.
• Powers to introduce inspection, enforcement and penalty regimes through secondary legislation.