Holly Cairns
Question:821. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the illegal sale or transportation of abducted animals. [44201/21]
View answerWednesday, 15 September 2021
Questions (821)
Written answers
Concern for the safety and welfare of pet animals was one of the primary reasons behind the introduction by my Department of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019). These Regulations were welcomed by welfare organisations and put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including minimum ages for sale of certain mammals; record-keeping; registration with the Department; and provision of certain information about the pet in advertisements.
Extracts from the Register of Sellers and Suppliers of Pet Animals and the Register of Premises (name of seller or supplier, registration number and the county of the premises used in connection with the sale and supply of pets) are published on the Gov.ie website
The requirement to include certain information about a pet animal in an advertisement will assist potential pet owners in deciding the appropriate seller with whom to engage.
The Department's website has further guidance for potential pet owners thinking of acquiring a pet. The Department continues to develop its controls in respect of this legislation and is advancing its plans and approach to effective enforcement.
The Department participates in the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group formed in 2015 by a number of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and classified advertising websites to bring improvement to the matter of advertising of pets online.
Officials of the Department have engaged and will continue to engage constructively with members of IPAAG, on the issue of online advertising and enforcement of the new Regulations. IPAAG has published practical, comprehensive advice on their website for anyone thinking of acquiring a pet, including what to check for in advertisements for pet animals.
Any evidence of animal cruelty or neglect of an animal’s welfare should be brought to the attention of the Department by calling the animal welfare helpline on 0761064408 (Call Save) or 01 6072379 or by emailing animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie. All such reports are followed up on.