Fireworks & Animals

 Pet Classics is back this year on Classic FM

Pet Classics | 5pm–10pm on Thursday 5, Friday 6, and Saturday 7 November

Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night across the Bonfire Night weekend, playing specially curated music to help soothe your furry, scaly, and feathered friends through the whizzes and bangs. They’ll also be giving shoutouts to your animals, and sharing top tips from the RSPCA for keeping them safe during the fireworks.

Government Responds to Petition - Animal Euthanasia

Require tracking of companion animal euthanasia to prevent unnecessary deaths:
The Petition is Open for signatures and can be signed here- https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/766482

Government responded to this petition as follows:

"The vast majority of pet euthanasia cases are for health and welfare reasons to relieve suffering. There is no indication of systemic issues that would necessitate new reporting obligations."

Decisions around euthanising an animal are often complex and emotionally sensitive, particularly when the animal is a cherished family pet. Veterinary surgeons play a central role in these considerations, especially in relation to companion animals. Euthanasia serves as a key safeguard for animal welfare by alleviating suffering, where necessary, while surgeons must also consider the owner’s wishes and circumstances.

The requirements within the veterinary profession already provide safeguards against unnecessary euthanasia. Advice about euthanasia is laid out in the guidance underpinning the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, which all veterinary surgeons practising in the UK must adhere to. Where a veterinary surgeon considers a request for euthanasia is not in the best interest of the animal, they can challenge this.

In 2021, Defra worked closely with the veterinary profession to provide greater assurance that alternatives to euthanasia are explored before a healthy dog or cat is put down. Following these discussions, the RCVS agreed to incorporate the principle of microchip scanning before euthanasia into the guidance that underpins their Code of Professional Conduct. Checking the details on the relevant microchip database can alert the vet to anyone else who may have an interest in the animal, such as a rescue centre. This information can help inform consideration of alternatives to euthanasia. The Code of Professional Conduct also provides guidance on obtaining consent before euthanasia. The person presenting the animal is required to sign a consent form attesting to the fact they are the owner or are authorised by the owner.

Earlier this year, Defra concluded an exercise involving campaigners, the veterinary profession and animal welfare stakeholders, to consider how the new scanning requirements prior to euthanasia have been embedded. Defra intends to issue a response to this exercise later in the year.

In addition, Defra maintains regular contact with key animal welfare stakeholders, including the Canine and Feline Sector Group, which brings together leading welfare charities, veterinary bodies, and trade associations. Through this forum, Defra receives up-to-date intelligence on emerging issues and operational challenges.

We have not seen any evidence that unnecessary euthanasia is occurring on a scale that would justify further research or the introduction of an additional reporting requirement.

For stray dogs, local authorities are expected to keep records on stray dog outcomes, including euthanasia. Clear and consistent data helps to identify trends and provide assurance that decisions are made with regard to animal welfare.

In addition, Defra has updated and published its guidance on stray dogs, following engagement with stakeholders and local authority representatives. The updated guidance, published on 22 September, provides clear, practical advice to support the consistent handling of stray dogs by local authorities and makes clear that euthanasia should be considered only as a last resort in exceptional circumstances.

In relation to stray cats, the government has no plans to introduce a nationwide system for stray cats. Defra welcomes the work of animal welfare organisations who provide trap, neuter and return (TNR) programmes in communities to help limit the spread of disease and control the size of colonies. 

For example, the specialist cat welfare charity, Cats Protection is working to address issues related to stray and feral cats through their community neutering programmes. 

This scheme aims to improve understanding of the unowned cat population nationwide and works with local authorities and local communities to improve cat welfare and support TNR services. Defra will continue to monitor feline welfare through its regular engagement with the sector.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

De-exemption Legal Pathway Petition Response

In response to a UK Government Petition which has reached over 10,000 signatures, the Government has given a written response.

The Petition - Provide a legal pathway to “de-exempt” XL Bully dogs exempted as a precaution can be viewed here - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760799

The Government responded:
"Owners with a Certificate of Exemption for an XL Bully dog can now apply to withdraw it if they no longer believe it is an XL Bully."

Defra recognises that some owners applied for Certificates of Exemption during the transition period as a precaution, particularly where they were unsure whether their dog met the XL Bully type standard. Defra understands that there are some dog owners who now believe that their dog is not an XL Bully type and that wish to withdraw their dog’s Certificate of Exemption. 

That is why Defra has launched a service for dog owners in England and Wales to apply to withdraw their dog if they are satisfied, having reviewed the XL Bully conformation standard, that it is not an XL Bully type. The application process is simple and can be done through a dedicated website on GOV.UK. 

Owners can also apply using a paper form if required. Full information on how to apply to withdraw a dog’s Certificate of Exemption can be found on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-withdraw-a-certificate-of-exemption-for-a-dog. The withdrawal process fulfils a commitment made to owners when the XL Bully exemption scheme was introduced.

It is up to the owner or keeper to identify whether they think their dog may be in scope of the ban. 

Owners and keepers should refer to Defra guidance on how to check if a dog is an XL Bully, where Defra have provided photographic examples of XL Bully breed types. The guidance can be found by searching for “XL Bully conformation standard” on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/xl-bully-conformation-standard).

To be considered a type ‘known as the XL Bully’, a dog must meet the minimum height measurements set out in the guidance. If an owner thinks their dog meets the minimum height measurements and has a substantial amount of the physical characteristics set out in the guidance, the dog may be in scope of the ban. 

Defra recommends taking a cautious approach. If owners are unsure if your dog is a XL Bully, they should comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions and not withdraw the dog’s Certificate of Exemption.

Police may carry out some checks and owners should be satisfied that their dog does not meet the standard before applying to withdraw a Certificate of Exemption. 

Withdrawing a Certificate of Exemption for a dog which is found to be an XL Bully is a criminal offence. The dog may be seized, and the owner will have to go through the courts to keep the dog.

Owners can access the most up to date information on the XL Bully ban by searching “Ban on XL Bully Dogs” on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

New DEFRA advice & law changes - exempted dogs

The changes were introduced as a Statutory Instrument (a form of secondary legislation) laid before Parliament on 9 June 2026 - SI 2026/602, under the formal title The Dangerous Dogs (Exemption Schemes) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026. 

As of 1 July 2026, if you own an exempted dog you are no longer legally required to hold third-party public liability insurance.

From 1 November 2026, owners of banned breed dogs must ensure that any child under 12 is not left in close contact with their dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, without appropriate adult supervision:

        *  to ensure that the dog does not come into close contact with a child under the age of 12 in any place, other than a public place, unless the dog or the child is being supervised by a person (whether the holder of the certificate or some other person) who is over the age of 18

The changes can be read in full here - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/602/made

Government guidance was issued September 2026 and can be found on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-around-banned-breed-dogs-in-the-home/keeping-children-safe-around-banned-breed-dogs-in-the-home

The guidance for dog owners is on keeping young children safe in the home and meeting the child safety condition for banned breed dog types.

This guidance provides information to help owners of banned breed dogs understand the new legal requirement relating to children under 12 and appropriate adult supervision.

It also includes examples of steps owners may wish to consider to help reduce the risk of unsupervised contact between children and dogs in the home.

Applying these principles more widely 
While this legal requirement applies to banned breed dogs and children under 12, many of the principles in this guidance may also be relevant to other dogs, children of different ages, and vulnerable adults. All dog owners should consider how they supervise interactions between dogs and children and take steps to reduce the risk of harm where appropriate.

Petition-Require tracking of companion animal euthanasia to prevent unnecessary deaths

Please Sign and Share
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/766482

If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.
If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
This petition will stay open until 1 November 2026.

The Petition text reads:

Every day healthy and treatable companion animals are put to sleep not because they are old or because they are beyond help but because there are limited places for them to go

Their lives end quietly in pounds, commercial kennels, veterinary practices and rescues, often unseen and unrecorded.

Stray dogs can be PTS after 7 days

Stray cats rely on charities not councils

Healthy/treatable animals are euthanised with no record, no transparency, no opportunity for reform

We call on Government to:

* Record when healthy/treatable animals are euthanised
* Publish annual data
* Introduce a nationwide system to protect stray cats
* Scan microchips for Rescue Back Up and registered keeper

Without this data preventable deaths will continue
Every animal deserves the chance to live
Tuks Law

Pet Microchip - Rescue Back-Up

There is a new Government Petition - please sign and share.
Don't forget to confirm your email address by following the link you are emailed, your signature will not be counted until you click the link you receive.

Sign HERE

Petition Text:

Ban removing Rescue Back Up details from pet microchips & make them permanent

Rescue Back Up details registered on microchips can be removed by authorised external users like alternate rescuers, without informing the original rescue organisation.

We call on the Government to amend Microchipping Of Cats and Dogs Regulations to ban the removal of Rescue Back Up details and other important welfare information registered on microchips, create a permanent audit trail, and automatically notify registered rescue organisations of any attempts to remove these details.

When a rescue or breeder register their RBU details on the microchip of a pet they rehomed, they may do so on the basis that it will remain there so they can be contacted if the pet is vulnerable. Authorised users with access to microchip databases, can remove original registration or rescue back up details without telling the original rescue, breeder, owner, keeper or rehoming centre, which can leave them unable to trace their dog or offer lifetime protection.

Dog Food Recall

There is a recall of all Years fresh meals - full details can be found on their website which includes the following information as of 19th August 2026:

As a precaution, we're issuing a voluntary recall of all Years Fresh Meals (excluding Chef's Collection).

Our investigation has identified buckwheat as a potential contributing factor, and we are investigating a potential contamination within the buckwheat supply. Several findings have led us to investigate buckwheat as a potential contributing factor:

Timing - all confirmed cases have emerged after buckwheat was introduced into the recipe, with zero confirmed cases prior to that change

Potential supply contamination - possible contamination identified in supplier product during our review, with laboratory testing due soon

Case data - confidential data shared by an independent ophthalmologist, covering symptoms, diet and environmental factors across their cases

Buckwheat is a common, approved ingredient used across many pet foods, and went through Years’ standard ingredient and recipe approval process before being introduced, including supplier approval, ingredient specification review and formulation in line with FEDIAF guidelines.

Further independent laboratory testing around the buckwheat supply is ongoing. Years has chosen to voluntarily recall the meals as a precautionary measure, without causation having yet been proven.

As of 9pm on 18th August, 192 customers in total have reported potential, as yet unverified, eye issues out of approximately 40,000 customers.

We know for some, this will strike as overly cautious - but at Years, we will always put every dog's health and wellbeing first.

Your subscription is paused for 6 weeks, and we will be reformulating our recipes without buckwheat.

What you should do

Stop feeding Years fresh meals immediately, whether your dog is experiencing symptoms or not

Do not feed the meals to any other dog or animal

Do not donate or sell the meals

Your subscription will be automatically paused tonight, for an initial period of six weeks. This gives us time to freshly cook your dog's meals using quinoa in place of buckwheat along with a thank you gift, for your patience, in your next subscription box.

Your help with our investigation would mean a great deal. We'll arrange a free collection of any unused meals and apply a full credit to your account for the order.