Animal Licensing Wales project extended
Animal Welfare Teams focuses on dog breeding and enforcement.
The Welsh government has confirmed that its Animal Welfare Teams project has been extended until 2025.
Animal Welfare Teams, led by Animal Licensing Wales, focus on dog breeding and enforcement, and ensures that animal welfare inspectors are well qualified to handle welfare issues.
Animal Licensing Wales was commended at a responsible dog ownership summit in autumn last year. The first trained senior intelligence officer was nominated for a Pet Industry Federation award, and the programme received an RSPCA Innovator Footprint award.
Through the scheme, five training courses have been delivered to 58 officers in local authorities across Wales.
Between February and December 2023, Animal Welfare Teams received 252 intelligence calls in relation to unlicensed dog breeders. This led to 73 investigations and 391 inspections across eight local authorities – leading to 58 Improvement Notices served under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Among the dog breeding practices being monitored by the Animal Welfare Teams is the breeding of German Shepherd working dogs, ensuring the breeders maintain high standards.
Animal Welfare Teams have also led operations at Welsh ports, ensuring people comply with the pet travel scheme and the commercial movement of pets.
Lesley Griffith, Welsh minister for rural affairs, said: “We have ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in Wales, and one of our commitments was to improve the training and qualifications for local authority enforcement officers. The Animal Licensing Wales project is making a real difference.
“We know ensuring dog breeding establishments are high quality and reputable plays a key role in promoting responsible dog ownership, and the officers are delivering real change here.”
Gareth Walters, project lead for Animal Licensing Wales, said: “This project is delivering training across Wales, improving enforcement powers for local authorities.
“We're pleased it has been extended until 2025 and it will provide valuable lessons and experience for the future.”
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