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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Open consultation Public Consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland

    Topics:
    • Animal Health, Welfare and Trade

    Consultation closes 25 August 2025, 11.59 pm

    Summary

    The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland, and seeks feedback on the proposals. The primary method for responses is online via Citizen Space.

    Documents

    • Consultation on new rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens Adobe PDF (2 MB)
    • Regulatory Impact Assessment - New rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens Adobe PDF (335 KB)
    • Rural Needs Impact Assessment - New rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens Adobe PDF (307 KB)
    • Equality and Disability Impact Screening - New rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens Adobe PDF (518 KB)
    • Written Response Template - Consultation on new rules for selling and supplying puppies and kittens Adobe PDF (117 KB)

    Help viewing documents

    Consultation description

    The consultation details proposals for the introduction of a registration system for persons selling, giving away, or otherwise transferring ownership of puppies and kittens aged under six months. The consultation also details proposals to end the third-party sale and supply of puppies and kittens. The consultation is aimed at anyone who has an interest in animal welfare, stakeholders who work within the animal welfare sector, councils which have responsibility for enforcement for companion animal welfare, and any person or organisation involved in the breeding, sale or transfer of ownership of puppies and kittens. 

    Ways to respond

    Respond online
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