RSPCA Cymru Welcomes ‘Landmark’ Regulations For Animal Welfare Regulations

The charity has long campaigned for rescue and rehoming regulation.

RSPCA Cymru has welcomed a “landmark” announcement as the Welsh Government confirms new proposals for the regulation of animal welfare establishments such as sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centres across Wales.

In a statement, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, has announced that following “clear feedback” from its consultation, the Welsh Government will begin developing proposals for establishments like rescues, sanctuaries, rehabilitation and rehoming centres to be regulated.

The news follows years of campaigning by the RSPCA – including a landmark report in 2023 urging the Welsh Government to act, which found more than eight out of ten (82%) of animal welfare establishments themselves in support of regulation. Unlike establishments such as riding schools, dog breeders and cat boarders, animal welfare establishments (AWEs) are currently not subject to any specific regulations in Wales. This essentially means that anyone can set up one, regardless of whether they have the skills, funds, resources or experience needed to care for animals.

The Deputy First Minister added: “We recognise the need for consistent, proportionate, and enforceable standards to protect animal health and welfare, and support the positive work undertaken to prevent wrongdoing and mistreatment.” 

The Welsh Government will also consider pet grooming as part of its plans,  as this “skilled and specialist activity” is also currently unregulated.

Eighty two percent of respondents to a recent Welsh Government consultation were in favour of regulating animal welfare establishments (AWEs). RSPCA Cymru has long called for establishments such as sanctuaries, rehoming centres and rescues to be formally regulated to offer vital assurances to the public, and protect animal welfare.

RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Billie-Jade Thomas, said: “This is a landmark milestone for animal welfare in Wales and follows our long-standing campaign calling for regulation.

“Many owners of sanctuaries and other animal welfare establishments undertake hugely important work, but the lack of regulation and oversight has long been a major concern for the RSPCA.“Our officers have too often dealt with situations that have spiralled out of control – with capacity, governance and financial issues all a reality for many sanctuaries; demonstrating the clear need for regulation. We have undertaken four prosecutions relevant to AWEs since 2018 and inevitably it is us that needs to step in when animal welfare becomes compromised in these establishments.

“We now look forward to hearing more about the proposals and look forward to helping the Welsh Government on their next steps. We are also delighted to hear that the Welsh Government is considering the regulation of pet grooming as well which could offer further welcome assurances to pet owners about the businesses they use.”

In 2023, RSPCA Cymru launched a new report highlighting an “urgent need” to regulate animal establishments – which included the findings of a poll which showed 88% of people in Wales agreed that they should be regulated – demonstrating overwhelming public appetite.The report also found huge support for action from the sector itself, with 82% of AWEs surveyed by the RSPCA saying that they are in favour of being regulated or licensed.

According to the report, only 5% of the public are aware that AWEs are currently unregulated in Wales, with a clear majority assuming they are already subject to external oversight.  

A non-statutory (voluntary) Code of Practice has been in place since September 2020 and contains guidance on how to successfully run an AWE. However, almost half of AWEs surveyed by the RSPCA admitted to never having referred to this code since its publication  with the RSPCA long concerned that “too little notice” is paid to it.

Billie added: “While the voluntary Code of Practice was a step forward, we found that too little notice was being paid to it.

“Our 2023 report found nearly half of sanctuaries had never even referred to it, and with us having had to prosecute further AWE owners in Wales since its publication, it is clearer than ever that legislative action is much-needed.””A lack of oversight, scrutiny and regulation mean welfare issues can escalate at establishments, with owners at risk of becoming overburdened.“As it stands, anyone can call themselves a ‘sanctuary’ or a ‘rescue’ in Wales without bespoke checks and balances. When new regulations are introduced, these establishments should need to register with their local authority and be subjected to external oversight and inspections to ensure that the welfare of the animals within them is being adequately protected.”

For more information on the charity’s #SaferSanctuaries campaign, supporters can visit the RSPCA website.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has also said it is “moving forward with a ban on greyhound racing” and that an Implementation Group will be established to guide this transition with legislation to be brought forward in the autumn.

The RSPCA is a member of The ‘Cut the Chase’ coalition – which is also made up of the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Hope Rescue and Greyhound Rescue Wales – who have long expressed concern about the negative welfare consequences that racing has on dogs, and support the activity being phased out in Wales.