Proposals aim to give puppies and kittens which are sold in Northern Ireland additional animal welfare protections.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on proposals to implement measures on selling and supplying puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland.
The proposals include a version of Lucy’s Law, which bans the third-party sale of puppies and kittens. This means that anyone selling and supplying puppies and kittens in NI must have bred them themselves.
Proposals also include the introduction of registration requirements which will improve traceability and transparency, enabling the public to more easily identify the source and origin of their puppy or kitten.
Views are sought on specific proposals around
- requirements to register with councils
- exemptions
- registration fees
- the application process
- conditions for registration
- conditions for advertising puppies and kittens
- online publication of a Register of Sellers and Suppliers and Kittens
- offences
- expected outcomes
- impact outside of NI
Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.
The consultation will close to responses on Monday 25 August 2025.
First published 3 June 2025
