Labour has won the General Election and is forming the UK’s new Government. This means that over the next five years they will be making policies and laws that set the direction for the country and oversee how it is run. Some of these policies and laws will impact dogs, cats and how people care for them, so what is on the cards and what does it mean for Battersea?
Battersea's focus issues
Ahead of the General Election, Battersea called on the next government to take action on our four focus areas which will shape our future campaigns:
1. Puppy & kitten smuggling
Crack down on illegal imports of puppies and kittens.
2. Pet Friendly Properties
Reform housing laws to make it easier for renters to own pets.
3. Unscrupulous breeding
Clamp down on deliberately breeding dogs and cats with extreme and unhealthy features.
4. Safety around dogs
Conduct a full-scale review of the laws around dangerous dogs, protecting people from tragic dog attacks while preserving animal welfare.
What Labour has promised
Before the election, Labour released a manifesto which outlined the policies they say they will put in place now they have won. Some of these policies match up to Battersea’s focus issues, including:
1. Puppy & kitten smuggling
Labour pledged to end puppy smuggling, including ending the import of ear cropped dogs.
2. Pet Friendly Properties
Labour pledged to overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, although they made no specific mention of pets in rental properties in the manifesto.
3. Unscrupulous breeding
Labour also promised to end puppy farms, and we will be working to ensure cat breeding is included.
4. Safety around dogs
Labour has not given a view on how to improve safety around dogs, although it is an issue on which the Government will be required to act.
Labour made other pledges that will impact dog and cat welfare, including banning trail hunting, ending the use of snare traps, and working towards the phasing out of animal testing. Read the full Labour party manifesto here.
What Battersea will do
With your support, we will continue to campaign for dog and cat welfare with politicians from all parties. Together, we can use our voice to ensure a better future for every dog and cat.
Our work has seen us already build relationships with some of the Labour figures who will take the lead on animal welfare in the new Government and the civil servants who will advise them.
We will press them to act on our four focus areas, either by encouraging them to fulfil the commitments from their manifesto or encouraging them to do more than is in their manifesto, where needed.
You can find out more about our campaigns by following our Public Affairs team on Twitter: Battersea Public Affairs (@Battersea_PA) / X (twitter.com).
