Lucy’s Law

What Is Lucy’s Law and Why Was It Introduced?

On Monday 6 April 2020 the Government introduced landmark new legislation to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies and kittens, by banning their commercial third-party sale in England.

‘Lucy’s Law is the name many use to refer to this legislation but its official name is Selling of Puppies and Kittens as Pets Act 2021. It means that anyone wanting to get a new puppy or kitten in England must now buy direct from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead. Licensed dog breeders are required to show puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth. If a business sells puppies or kittens without a licence, they could receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months.

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm where she was subjected to terrible conditions. Puppy farms are located across the UK with most depending on third-party sellers or ‘dealers’ to distribute often sick, traumatised, unsocialised puppies which have been taken away from their mother at just a few weeks old.

This often involves long-distance transportation, with the puppy or kitten suffering life-threatening medical, surgical, or behavioural problems which are passed on to unsuspecting new owners. Lucy’s Law effectively removes the third-party dealer chain, resulting in all dog and cat breeders becoming accountable for the first time.

As well as Lucy’s Law, the Government has committed to supporting tougher sentences for animal cruelty, raising maximum prison sentences from six months to five years, and has pledged to bring in new laws on animal sentience and to end excessively long journeys for live animals.

We at Pet Transport Services fully endorse this new legislation which should ensure animals are given the best possible start in life, born and reared in a safe environment, with their mother, and to be sold from their place of birth. As such, we will NOT transport any kitten or puppy unless it can be proven the purchase has been made from a recognised and registered breeder in the UK.

When contacting us about transportation, please be aware, if it is a kitten or puppy, before transportation we may ask to see evidence of where the animal is coming from. Please ensure you request visible proof from the breeder at the time of purchase, ideally a copy of their license. In the rare case we arrive to collect the puppy or kitten and find the environment suspicious and resembling a puppy farm, we will refuse collection and will report this to the authorities.