UK: Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets) Bill is a Private Member’s Bill, which has received the government's backing along with published explanatory notes. These regulations include setting the minimum age for importing dogs and cats at six months and prohibiting the importation of dogs and cats that are either more than six weeks pregnant or have been subjected to mutilation such as ear cropping and tail docking in dogs, as well as declawing in cats. Currently, the lower age limit to import a dog or cat is 15 weeks. The Bill aims to implement regulations across all four UK nations.