Ministers are facing renewed calls for urgent action after new analysis revealed that up to 80% of dogs and puppies entering UK homes could be sourced through unlicensed or illegal channels.
The Naturewatch Foundation, a leading animal welfare group, has sounded the alarm, warning that the vast majority of puppies may still be coming from breeders operating without proper authorization. The organization argues that the findings highlight an urgent need for tougher regulation and stronger enforcement of dog-breeding laws.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) echoed these concerns, urging the government to respond swiftly. Meanwhile, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that the issue remains under active review.
Mapping the Problem
The stark revelations follow the release of the Naturewatch Foundation’s Dog Breeding Map of the UK and Ireland, launched last summer to assist prospective dog owners in locating reputable breeders.
The data, compiled from freedom of information requests sent to nearly 400 local authorities, found that just 2,897 licensed breeders operate across the UK and Ireland. These licensed breeders collectively keep around 23,000 female dogs and produce an estimated 138,000 to 184,000 puppies annually.
However, the foundation warned that licensed breeding accounts for as little as 14.6% of the new dogs joining the UK’s canine population each year. An additional 5.8% of dogs are commercially imported. These figures, they argue, leave a vast proportion of the dog population potentially sourced from unregulated and illicit breeders.
Public Outrage and Calls for Reform
Natalie Harney, campaign manager for the Naturewatch Foundation, said the findings would come as a “shock” to the public.
“Despite a decade of reforms, significant loopholes and inconsistent enforcement continue to undermine efforts to regulate dog breeding,” she said. “With laws differing between nations, it is often unclear when a breeder requires a license. Immediate action is essential.”
The urgency was further underscored by a recent BVA survey, which reported that one in five small animal veterinarians had encountered what they suspected to be illegally imported puppies over the past year.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, President of the BVA, stressed the need for rapid government intervention, particularly to progress the anti-smuggling bill introduced by veterinarian and MP Danny Chambers.
“The government has a real opportunity to protect both animal welfare and prospective dog owners from unscrupulous breeders,” Dr Mullineaux said.
Government Response
Defra responded by stating that it is considering a post-implementation review of current regulations governing activities such as dog breeding, as well as evaluating the Animal Welfare Committee’s latest research into specialized reproductive practices.
While officials promised to announce next steps “in due course,” Defra emphasized its commitment to ending what it described as “the cruel puppy farming trade.”
Need for a UK-Wide Strategy
Despite animal welfare being a devolved responsibility, Naturewatch Foundation argued that a unified UK-wide approach is critical to tackling the puppy trade effectively.
The charity also highlighted major inconsistencies in local authority oversight, noting that only 34% of councils could confirm the number of dogs breeders were licensed to keep. Alarmingly, they cited the existence of a single site in Northern Ireland licensed to house 250 female dogs and 100 male dogs — an example they say illustrates the urgent need for stronger national standards.