A NEW law ensuring animal shelters in England and Wales are properly licensed is receiving the full backing of Bromsgrove’s MP Bradley Thomas.
Currently, major breeders and kennel owners have to be licensed, but this does not apply to rescue centres and shelters.
The Government itself has acknowledged this problem, admitting there’s ‘significant variation’ in the standards animal shelters operate under.
The Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill, which has been co-signed by Mr Thomas and 10 other MPs, would provide the necessary framework to ensure animal shelters are properly licensed.
Mr Thomas said: “It’s clear current laws are not sufficiently protecting our vulnerable animals, and we therefore need the necessary framework in place to ensure animal shelters are properly licensed.
“The Bill I’m backing will make licensing mandatory and would give local councils, the RSPCA and the police more powers to act sooner when concerns have been raised.
“We’re a nation of animal lovers, and I therefore hope a majority of MPs will reflect that and join me in backing this Bill.”
It’s been introduced to Parliament following heartbreaking and tragic incidents, including one incident in Essex where the bodies of 37 dogs were found during a police raid at a property.
The Bill will strengthen protections for vulnerable animals and would give local councils more confidence in people looking after animals and give them more powers when there are concerns.
