Countryside Alliance Ireland has issued a broadly supportive response to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) recent consultation on proposed new rules for the sale and transfer of puppies and kittens. While Countryside Alliance Ireland welcomes the intention to enhance animal welfare standards, it has voiced strong concerns about the effectiveness, proportionality, and potential unintended consequences of the measures.
The consultation proposes requiring anyone who sells, gives away, or otherwise transfers ownership of puppies or kittens to register with their local council. It also includes a ban on third-party sales - a move we fully support alongside new advertising and registration requirements.
However, Countryside Alliance Ireland warns that the current proposals risk becoming an exercise in bureaucracy and revenue-raising rather than delivering meaningful improvements in animal welfare. In particular, we question how mandatory registration, absent of any inspection regime, will provide assurance about the welfare standards of the animals involved.
Gary McCartney, Director of Countryside Alliance Ireland, said:
“We support genuine efforts to ensure animals are raised in good conditions and that purchasers make informed choices, but without enforcement or inspection mechanisms, registration becomes a paper exercise that risks penalising responsible breeders, especially small-scale and hobby breeders, with unnecessary costs and red tape.”
Countryside Alliance Ireland also questions the logic of requiring licensed breeders, who are already subject to regulatory inspections, to register again, effectively charging them twice without delivering any additional welfare benefit. Licensing should be sufficient, particularly as it already encompasses the act of selling animals.
While we support exemptions for charities involved in the training of assistance dogs, we urge DAERA to align with similar exemptions in English legislation. Furthermore, we have highlighted a significant oversight: while puppies must be microchipped and licensed, no such requirements exist for kittens. This inconsistency undermines traceability and the core objective of enhancing welfare standards.
Concerns were also raised about the proposed public register of sellers, particularly around privacy and security. Given the high market value of some breeds, Countryside Alliance Ireland warns that publicly listing breeder addresses could lead to increased risk of theft and endanger breeders and their families.
While we recognise the positive intent behind DAERA’s proposals, we call for a more balanced and evidence-based approach. Effective animal welfare regulation must strike a fair balance between oversight and practicality. It should focus on addressing real welfare risks, not overburdening responsible pet owners or those breeding working dogs to high standards.
Here's how you can help
Countryside Alliance Ireland urges all members, particularly those involved in breeding, working dogs, or rehoming animals, to engage with this consultation and make their voices heard.
“We need you our members to respond and ensure that these proposals are shaped by practical knowledge and real-world experience. Responsible owners and breeders must not be unfairly penalised by poorly targeted regulations,” said Gary McCartney.
You can read our full response here.