Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Legislate against reselling or giving up young puppies/kittens to a third party

Closed 136 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the government to make it a criminal offence for new owners of puppies or kittens to resell or give them up for adoption to a third party, before they are 6 months old. We think owners should either return the animal to its breeders, or obtain the breeder's consent to give it to new owners.
Reputable private breeders make efforts to ensure their precious puppies and kittens are bought or adopted by responsible owners who will provide safe, suitable and loving homes. However, there is no law to stop their animals' new owners from immediately reselling or giving these vulnerable, undeveloped pets up for adoption to third parties who may not be so suitable.

Timeline

20 Jan 2025 Petition opened for signatures
20 Jul 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 136
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 20 Jan 2025
Closed 20 Jul 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 11 Aug 2026.