As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete.

Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors.

The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.

We do not intend to make such an assessment. We already operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes (every route other than Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies) under the Pet Travel rules undergo 100% documentary and identity checks by authorised pet checkers.

During 2017, two individuals were prosecuted under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) Order 1974 for the illegal importation of puppies by Kent Trading Standards. This action was taken following an interception at Dover Port by Port of Dover Police with the puppies being held at the quarantine premises funded by Dogs Trust.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency continues to work closely with enforcement partners to identify opportunities for enforcement action to be taken both at the port of arrival and point of destination.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is working with the Dogs Trust and Kent County Council to identify and seize dogs and puppies which were not compliant with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme as part of a pilot project responding to intelligence on potential non-compliance. However any prosecutions or proceedings commenced as a result of the puppy pilot would be undertaken by the Local Authorities.

Local Authorities are required to submit a return to Parliament each year (under Section 80 of the Animal Health Act). The reports do contain high level details of all prosecutions, and the report for 2016 shows that 5 prosecutions were taken in relation to the illegal import of dogs. However we do not hold information on whether these successful prosecutions were as a result of the Puppy Pilot.

I welcome the Dogs Trust initiative to pay the quarantine costs of dogs and puppies identified at Dover as being not compliant to enter Great Britain under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Since 2 December 2015, 108 puppies have been licensed into the quarantine facilities, mainly due to concerns that puppies were under the minimum age for travelling.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency will carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of the initiative following its conclusion.

The Dogs Trust’s report highlights that responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has written to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report to remind them of their duty to ensure that the requirements of the EU pet travel scheme must be fully complied with. This approach has previously resulted in investigations in EU Member States and appropriate action being taken, including the suspension of veterinarians’ licenses. We will continue to alert the authorities in any Member State where we become aware of issues in relation to the operation of the pet travel scheme.

The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU Member States. In order to carry pets, transport companies must be approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to ensure that they have the necessary facilities and trained staff. It is a condition of approval that the transport company check 100% of those pets declared to them for compliance with the EU pet travel scheme. Stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules. Defra actively shares intelligence it gathers relating to abuse of the pet travel scheme with Local Authorities (who are enforcement bodies) and other EU countries for them to further investigate and take any necessary action.

The illegal trade is ultimately driven by demand and so we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. See: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog. Defra has also worked closely with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to drive up standards for online advertisements.

The Dogs Trust’s report highlights that responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has written to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report to remind them of their duty to ensure that the welfare of pets intended for sale is safeguarded. Investigations were launched in both countries and appropriate action was taken against vets found to be at fault, including the suspension of licences. We will continue to alert the authorities in any Member State where we become aware of issues in relation to the operation of the pet travel scheme.

The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU member states and stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.

The illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap, pedigree puppies and we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. See: https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog.

Defra officials attended the launch of the document on 3 June 2015. The report will be considered in the context of the ongoing 5 year review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 on which Defra plans to consult later this year.