A new law will prevent backstreet breeders from selling dogs under the age of 8 weeks old. It also requires adverts to include microchip numbers.
Issues with pet advertising and sales have been brought up by animal welfare organisations numerous times over the past couple of years. The new regulations, which will come into effect on February 1st 2020, are a step in the right direction for animal health and wellbeing.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said, “the new legislation will contribute to ensuring enhanced traceability of pets sold or supplied, in particular the new requirement to include the microchip number in an ad for the sale or supply of a dog.”
New Changes
In order to sell 5+ pets in a year, a person has to:
- Register sales with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Include specific information in any advertising material used to help sell the animal – this includes a microchip number for dogs
- Keep certain records regarding the sale or supply of pet animals
They must also keep to the rules about minimum ages – for dogs, that means no puppy under 8 weeks of age can be sold.
This is really positive news as puppies under the age of 8 are still reliant and learning from their mother. Taking them away too early can have a negative impact on their happiness and wellbeing; it can also massively affect their learning capabilities and anxiety levels.
A Step in the Right Direction
The DSCPA (Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) says it’s, “a step in the right direction towards protecting animals,” and that it is, “particularly relevant as it relates to the online selling of animals.”
Dog’s Trust also supports the idea, urging people to avoid purchasing a dog or puppy that does not have the required microchip number present on their advert. “This is an indication that the seller does not want to be traceable and raises a very big red glad for the welfare of the dog and the conditions they are being kept in.”
The new rules are thought to assist in the crackdown on backstreet puppy farmers/breeders.
