Fireworks - New Government Consultation

Have you and your dogs/animals been affected by Fireworks?

This Consultation is open until 7th October 2026 and can be responded to here: Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK - GOV.UK

The Consultation description is as below:

Introduction
Fireworks are enjoyed by many for celebrations and cultural events. However, their use has become a growing concern, as seen from public complaints, parliamentary debates, and petitions calling for stronger controls due to the negative impacts on neighbourhood safety, vulnerable people, and animals.
This consultation explores these issues, in support of the UK Government’s Safer Streets Mission to tackle anti-social behaviour. The goal is to find an approach that preserves the enjoyment of fireworks for celebrations while preventing harm and distress to others.

Why are we consulting

Before making any changes to fireworks regulations, we are seeking views on our proposals to ensure we receive all relevant evidence and perspectives. This will allow us to refine the policy to reduce unintended consequences and maximise the potential benefits. We are seeking views on proposals to:

• restrict the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public, with louder products only available to professional users.

• add products deemed to be carrying unacceptable risks to the list of existing banned pyrotechnic products set out in regulation 33 of the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended).

• review the regulations for fireworks and pyrotechnic products currently classified as lower risk to better reflect the different levels of risk they pose.

Petition to provide lifelong vet care for retired service animals

A Petition to provide lifelong vet care and financial support for retired service animals.

This is a UK Government Petition, currently awaiting a government response as more than 10,000 signatures have been reached.

Petition Text:

We want the UK Government to create a national support scheme to provide lifelong veterinary care and financial assistance for retired service animals, including police dogs, military dogs, and police horses.

Service animals protect the public and support the emergency services and armed forces. Many retire with injuries or health conditions linked to their service. Ongoing care costs often fall to former handlers, adopters, or charities.
We want a national support scheme or pension to help fund lifelong veterinary care and welfare support for retired service animals.

You can Sign and Share the Petition Here:  

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/769616

If the petition receives more than 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Hot Weather Advice - UK Dogs

Some tips to help keep your dog/s safe and comfortable as we reach heatwave temperatures already in May:

Pavements/roads Test with the back of your hand for five seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog's paw pads. 

Pet Sunscreen: Apply pet-safe sun cream to exposed, unpigmented areas, such as the tips of their ears and nose, to help prevent sunburn, but keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can.

Never leave your dog in a vehicle: Temperatures inside vehicles/cars can soar to fatal levels. Never leave your dog unattended, even for a few minutes with the windows down.

Outside & Inside Areas: As the sun moves during the day, ensure that their area remains shaded throughout the day if necessary.

Water: Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available.

Heatsroke: Know the signs of Heatstroke and the correct way to give first aid to cool down - seek veterinary advice.

Walks: If you need to walk your dog - go out at cooler times of the day like early morning and late evenings, use shaded areas if possible.

New EU rules for pet travel

New EU rules for GB residents from the 22nd April 2026:

The changes, announced by the EU, apply to the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from Great Britain.  

There are no major changes to pet travel requirements for re-entry into Great Britain.  

Key updates include: 

• GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to travel into the EU. EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally. EU pet passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be valid documents for entry to the EU. This means GB residents – even if they already have an EU pet passport – may need a different document to take their pet to the EU. To guarantee smooth travel, owners resident in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they’re travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.    

Individual Member States may have specific pet travel requirements and pet owners should always check the specific entry requirements of the destination country before travel. 

GB residents are still able to use EU pet passports for their return journey to GB.  
Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) now last longer once you arrive, but they are still single‑use. Although you still need a new AHC for each trip from GB to the EU, the certificate can now be used for up to six months for onward travel within the EU and for re‑entering Great Britain, as long as rabies vaccinations remain valid. 

If someone else travels with your pet, extra paperwork is needed. If the owner is not travelling with the pet, the pet must travel within five days of the owner, and the person accompanying the animal must carry written permission from the owner. This permission must travel with the pet’s travel document. 

There is a new five‑pet limit per private vehicle. Non‑commercial travel into the EU is now limited to a maximum of five pets per private vehicle, rather than five per person. The existing limit of five pets for people travelling on foot stays the same. Exceptions apply for pets travelling to competitions, events or training, if specific conditions are met. 

An APHA spokesperson said:
From 22 April, new EU rules change how GB residents travel to the EU with their pets, but holidays with your pets are still possible. 
Anyone planning to travel should check guidance on GOV.UK, and the entry rules for their destination. 
To avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they’re travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.

Information from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-eu-rules-for-pet-travel-for-gb-residents

The Senedd votes to ban Greyhound racing in Wales

On March 17, 2026, the Senedd voted to ban greyhound racing in Wales, making it the first UK nation to take this step due to animal welfare concerns. The ban is set to take effect between April 2027 and April 2030, allowing for a phased shutdown.

The Bill will ban Greyhound racing in Wales: 

https://www.gov.wales/prohibition-greyhound-racing-wales-bill

A transition period to allow the industry to wind down responsibly, strengthen rehoming arrangements for retired greyhounds, and prepare enforcement bodies and local authorities for the change which will see the prohibition brought into effect between 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2030. 

The Bill reflects a clear policy choice: that the injuries, fatalities, and poor post-racing outcomes associated with greyhound racing can no longer be justified. Despite efforts within the industry, harm to greyhounds has remained a consistent reality. 

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said: 

Wales is a progressive nation, committed to ethical standards and forward-thinking legislation. This Bill strengthens our reputation as a leader on animal welfare and delivers the standards that the people of Wales rightly expect.

Thousands of members of the public, campaigners, and stakeholders contributed to shaping this legislation through campaigns, petitions, and personal testimony. Their voices have been central to its development.

Petition Update-Central Microchip Portal to help reunite missing pets

You can sign and re-post the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/748648 open until 5th June 2026. 

At 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Now that the petition has reached over 10,000 signatures, the Government has issued a written response which can be read in full on the petition link.

Defra have stated:

Defra is currently working with the Association of Microchip Database Operators to develop commercial solutions that will provide easier access to microchip records for authorised users.

Since the introduction of compulsory dog microchipping in 2016, the number of compliant database operators has risen from 4 to 24. Whilst the growth in the number of database operators has resulted in more choice for consumers, it has made it harder for approved users such as vets to access records quickly.

To address this, as set out in the Animal welfare strategy for England,

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england)

Defra is working with the Association of Microchip Database Operators (AMDO) to develop improvements to the way the microchipping regime currently operates. AMDO is currently testing industry-led solutions that will enable authorised users to access information contained on the databases digitally through a single point of search.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UK Gov Petition-Central Microchip Portal Needed

You can Sign and Share the Petition Here -https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/748648

Introduce a Central Microchip Portal to help reunite missing pets without delay:

In March 2024, the previous Government said it would make scanning, checking & reuniting lost & abducted pets more effective by introducing a central portal for approved users-vets, local authorities & police-to search all records instantly, instead of contacting databases individually.
This has not happened.

There are currently 23 government-compliant databases and cross-checking them is seen by many as an 'administrative burden. 

A central portal could reunite lost & abducted pets with families in minutes. 

The portal could make registrations easier to access, increase scanning & checking rates, and lead to more reunites. 

We believe this is a vital step to make pet microchipping work. We call on the government to deliver the central portal now to make chips count.

Fireworks Parliamentary Debate

The petitions committee scheduled a Westminster Hall debate for Monday 19 January at 4:30pm and MPs have now debated two petitions relating to the sale of fireworks.

You can read a transcript of the debate here:

http://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-01-19/debates/C0AE7A79-B8C1-4E33-8CB7-A9AAD98B62E6/SaleOfFireworks

The debate can be watched online here: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/G1ntVoBByDE

The first petition:

"Reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels"

The petition, which has received more than 179,000 signatures, states: "We think each year, individuals suffer because of loud fireworks. We believe horses, dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife can be terrified by noisy fireworks and many people find them intolerable."

Open for Signatures: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738192

Second Petition:

"Limit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events only"

The petition, which has received more than 191,000 signatures, states: "Ban the sale of fireworks to the general public to minimise the harm caused to vulnerable people and animals. Defenceless animals can die from the distress caused by fireworks. I believe that permitting unregulated use of fireworks is an act of wide-scale cruelty to animals."

Open for Signatures: Limit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events only - Petitions

Classic FM Radio - Fireworks Season

Help to give your pets some calm this fireworks season returns again this year.

For pets and owners who find fireworks stressful, Pet Classics can provide a audio sanctuary during the bright lights, whizzes and bangs. Tune in for two shows of perfectly picked, relaxing music, and practical tips from the RSPCA.

The first programme will be on Bonfire Night - the 5th of November from 5pm to 9pm.

The 2nd programme will be on Saturday 8th of November also from 5pm to 9pm.

Remove VAT on veterinary fees for pets

Petition text:

Following reports of some pet owners not being able to afford vet fees, we believe it is time for the Government to remove VAT from veterinary fees for pets so that it is no longer charged on animal health care which is essential for their health.

We believe pets are not a luxury but loved and valued companions and contribute to emotional and mental wellbeing for so many including the elderly. Some animal rescue centres may be full and unable to help, resulting in healthy animals being put down or left to suffer without basic care. 

We believe that if VAT is no longer charged on all veterinary fees, it could go a long way to rectifying this situation.

To Sign and Share this UK Government Petition - Click Here

Review and centrally record pet euthanasia - UK Gov petition

Petition text:

With some reports suggesting a rise in euthanasia rates, we think research must be undertaken by government and relevant bodies to centrally record how many dogs and cats are being euthanised: where, why, age, breed, gender and microchip status. All veterinarians must be required to report this data

A potential upcoming loss of rescue spaces could place a greater burden of abandonment on local authorities. Any new restrictions on rehoming from UK rescues and restricted rescuing from abroad could lead to more demand for purchased pups and encourage back street breeding with no Rescue Back Up.

We want Government to centralise data as currently there is no obligation to provide accurate euthanasia numbers outside of local authorities. We believe transparency is needed from all stakeholders

To Sign and Share the Petition - Click Here

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill

The Bill has moved through the House of Commons and is due a second reading in the House of Lords on 5^th September 2025

Full details of the Bill can be found here - https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821

Explanatory Notes have been provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

The Bill addresses the serious issue of livestock worrying in England and Wales.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 deals with dogs that chase or attack livestock in England, Wales, and Scotland (known as livestock worrying).

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill includes provisions to deliver a number of amendments to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 ("the 1953 Act") to improve enforcement in response to incidents of livestock worrying by dogs. 

The Bill does so by extending the powers available to the police to obtain evidence of an offence under section 1 of the 1953 Act. 

The Bill extends the offence in section 1 of the 1953 Act to include roads and paths and expands the scope of livestock currently afforded protection to include camelids. 

It also increases the maximum penalty in relation to the offence in section 1 of the 1953 Act from a fine of £1,000 to an unlimited fine.

Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats & Ferrets) Bill progresses

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has now passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons on the 4th July and been passed up to the House of Lords where the first reading has taken place - a formality which signals the beginning of the Bill through the Lords.

The second reading of the Bill is due to take place on 5th September, this is a general debate on all parts of the Bill.

A copy of the Bill, as amended, can be found here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/publications

The Bill aims to help end puppy smuggling, to ban imports of animals with mutilations and to reduce the risk of some diseases being imported.

#PuppySmugglingBill #flopdontcrop

Overview of the Bill:

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill makes provision to restrict the commercial importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets into the United Kingdom from third countries on grounds of animal welfare. 

The Bill introduces an enabling power to address the problem of low-welfare imports of dogs, cats and ferrets into the United Kingdom. 

The power must be used to prohibit the bringing into Great Britain of puppies and kittens under six months and dogs and cats that are mutilated or heavily pregnant. 

The Bill also seeks to address the current issue of commercial imports being disguised as non commercial movements by amending the rules that govern the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain from third countries.  

Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill Introduced:

 

This is a Private Members' Bill A Bill to make provision for the licensing of animal shelters; the First reading was on the 11^th June 2025.

The Bill is sponsored by conservative MP Richard Holden and the Second Reading is due to take place on the 4^th July

The new law would require animal shelters in England and Wales to obtain licences.

Progress can be followed online here - https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3985

Government responds to Petition

As 10,000 signatures were reached - the Government has responded to the petition, as below.

If 100,000 signatures are reached - then a parliamentary debate will be considered - Sign Here - “Introduce Licensing and Regulation for Dog and Cat Rescues to Protect Welfare” https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718660

The Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) has considered the Government’s response to this petition. They felt the response did not respond directly to the request of the petition. They have therefore asked the Government to provide a revised response. When the Committee receives a revised response from the Government, it will be published.

Government response:
Animal rescue organisations must meet existing statutory welfare requirements. Moving forward, we are developing an overarching approach to animal welfare and will outline more detail in due course.
The Government appreciates the important work that responsible animal sanctuaries as well as rescue and rehoming organisations do, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that animals taken into the care of these organisations are offered the opportunity of a forever home.
There are existing protections under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 whereby any person responsible for an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, has a duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Companion animal rescue and rehoming organisations in England and Wales must therefore comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The Department encourages individuals to report any concerns regarding whether these standards are being met to the relevant local authority, which has powers to investigate.
Members of the public can also check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures that all members adhere to.
More broadly, the Department is developing an overarching approach to animal welfare and has initiated a series of meetings with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of this work. It will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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

 This Bill was debated in Parliament on Wednesday 14 May 2025

A copy of the Bill, as amended, can be found here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/publications

The Bill aims to help end puppy smuggling, to ban imports of animals with mutilations and to reduce the risk of some diseases being imported.

#PuppySmugglingBill #flopdontcrop

You can ask your MP to support the Imports Bill – please contact them today. MP’s will vote for the Bill on the 4^th July, ask yours to support.

Government background explanatory notes:

The Bill aims to address growing concerns about the low welfare movement of dogs and cats into the United Kingdom.

Dogs, cats and ferrets can enter the United Kingdom in one of two ways: as non-commercial pet travel movements or commercial imports.  More stringent requirements apply to commercial imports than to non-commercial movements. Evidence has shown that commercial movements are frequently being disguised as non-commercial movements to  avoid these more stringent requirements. 

In 2023, over 500 landings of dogs and cats were intercepted at the Port of Dover and found to be non-compliant with import requirements. Of these, 116 puppies and kittens were quarantined for being below the legally required minimum age for import. This data does not include animals detained at airports or found inland.  The true extent of puppy smuggling operations is unknown and so these figures likely only capture a small portion of the animals smuggled into the country.

There are concerns about an emerging market involving the importation of heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and those which have been mutilated (ear cropped dogs, tail docked dogs and declawed cats).  

Defra have regularly been called upon to change the legislation and inhibit the trade for low welfare movements of dogs and cats, most recently by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) following its inquiry into pet welfare in abuse.  This looked at the scale and profitability of the illegal trade and the conditions in which dogs are being imported into the United Kingdom. The recommendations from that inquiry included the introduction of a limit on the number of dogs, cats and ferrets that can be brought into the UK as a non-commercial movement from five per person to five per vehicle, and three per foot or air passenger; as well as a ban on the movement of puppies and kittens under six months and pregnant dogs and cats in the last 30% of gestation. EFRA Committee also recommended that the Government should give priority to closing loopholes that enable the importation of mutilated animals. There is strong public support for intervention in the sector and concerns on the practice of “puppy smuggling” and low-welfare imports have been raised by third sector organisations and animal welfare groups.

These Explanatory Notes relate to the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. 

Be Tick Aware

 #TickAwareness

Bite Prevention is important:

Fireworks Bill – to restrict fireworks:

The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 17 January 2025.

This is a Private Members' Bill which was presented to Parliament on Wednesday 16 October 2024 through the ballot procedure.

Luton North MP, Sarah Owen is hoping to ban the loudest fireworks from public sale, and ensure fireworks can only be purchased from licensed shops.

Legislation could be put in place to help reduce stress to animals.

Kirith Entwistle MP said:

This week I met up with Sarah Owen MP to talk about her private members bill on fireworks.

The Fireworks Bill proposes an outright ban on the public sale of F2 and F3 fireworks. Looks to reduce the maximum decibel level of all traditional fireworks from 120 dB to 90 dB. Enhances legislation governing the use and sale of fireworks and tightens licensing laws on the sale of fireworks.

This is a really difficult time of year for many pet owners. We have just seen another fireworks season come and go and as we head towards the New Year, more displays will cause distress for so many animals.

Constant disturbance from fireworks night after night can be an issue for others in our community too. We have a large community of veterans in Bolton, many of whom struggle with PTSD, and there are children and adults who are neurodivergent who are unsettled by the unexpected loud noises.

I’m pleased to show my support for this Bill and I will be doing my bit to encourage the Government to back the introduction of tighter restrictions on fireworks.

Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill

 

A Private Members' Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP

A Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog; and for connected purposes.

This Bill started in the House of Commons and has it’s Second reading scheduled for 17^th May 2024.

There is no publication of the Bill yet.

Pet Abduction Bill - Latest Progress

 A Private Members’ Bill introduced by Anna Firth MP, to create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and to confer a power to make corresponding provision relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.

In January 2024 the Bill had taken a significant step forward with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.

The Pet Abduction Bill introduces new criminal offences in relation to the taking or detaining of a dog from the lawful control of any person. Anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

There is currently no legislation aimed at addressing pet theft specifically. Animals fall under the definition of property in legislation, and as such pet theft is dealt with under the Theft Act 1968.  Campaigners have called for stronger legislation that reflects the emotional value of pets to their owners and the distress associated with their theft.

Introduced into the House of Commons on 6^th December 2023.

1^st reading – was on 6^th December 2023

2^nd reading –  was on 19^th January 2024

Committee Stage – 31^st January 2024

The Bill is now due to have its report stage and third reading on Friday 23 February.

Amendments can be made to the Bill at Report Stage.

Amendments to be considered are selected by the Speaker.

Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog theft and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.