A law will soon be passed requiring animal breeders and sellers to register.
Cat Protection reports that European politicians are keen to introduce a law (by 2020) that would force all breeders and sellers of pets to register.
The proposals put forward by the Eurogroup for Animals will contain rather strict language regarding future animal health. The law is necessary to curb the activities of unscrupulous breeders and pet sellers. Furthermore, registered breeders will be able to enjoy the support of MEPs and members of the European Commission.
Once the law is passed in the EU (expected this autumn), all member states must implement the new legislation within their own countries to ensure the registration of breeders and sellers from 2020.
The news comes shortly after Cats Protection launched its Manifesto to improve the lives of cats in the UK, with a range of measures including regulating the breeding and sale of cats.
Manager Jackie (from Cat Protection) said: "We've been calling for regulation of cat breeding and sales in the UK for several years now. Registration is a good start, shining a light on those breeding cats for sale. And we hope the UK can follow suit."
We are concerned that this area has been left unregulated at the European level. Cats are being bred too often for profit. Many breeders, such as those who breed and register purebred cats with pedigrees, maintain high standards. However, we need high standards that are applied universally.
We see hundreds of online ads across the country offering "gorgeous kittens" for sale for as little as £100 and £300, or a little more. Then we learn that the litter was sired by sick cats. The resulting kittens then breed and are sold. The animals are kept in appalling conditions. Furthermore, these kittens are given away when they are just a few weeks old, too young to be separated from their mother.
Also, if kittens are sold too young, they risk being poorly socialized, meaning they haven't yet gotten used to people. They become frightened when touched or handled. Poorly socialized kittens are less likely to make good pets; they're practically unsuitable as pets, as they'll have a hard time adjusting to family life and may even be afraid of people.
Furthermore, this type of irresponsible breeding contributes to the increase in the number of unwanted kittens and cats in the UK. Cats Protect estimates that there are over a thousand homeless and unwanted cats in dire need of help and loving homes."
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