Animal welfare coalition launches priorities at Stormont
On Wednesday 15th February, the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG) launched eight new priorities for improving animal welfare legislation in Northern Ireland, at an event hosted by John Blair MLA.
Speakers included David Bowles Head of RSPCA’s public affairs and campaigns and Marina Fidler, Co-Founder of MADRA Dog Rescue.
The coalition has identified eight priority areas that need to be actioned by the Northern Ireland Assembly:
- Robust legislation to address the third-party sale of puppies and kittens
- Regulation of breeding establishments
- Licensing of activities involving animals, such asrehoming, boarding, walking, doggy-daycare and grooming.
- Regulation of pounds and kenneling facilities
- Improved enforcement including a review and update of the Animal Welfare Act with more resources dedicated to local councils so they can better respond to animal welfare concerns
- Compulsory microchipping of pet cats
- Responsible pet ownership with animal welfare to be included as a mainstream topic in the National Curriculum
- Seized animals and rehoming timeframes to enable an animal to be rehomed after 21 days.
Established in 2019, the group is a coalition of the USPCA, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, Assisi, Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary and PDSA bringing together specific expertise and focus, with the aim of improving the welfare of companion animal welfare across Northern Ireland.
To read the NICAWG’s policy priorities and key asks in full, click here.
Nora Smith, Chair of NICAWG and Chief Executive of USPCA, said:
“This event could not be more timely, with the restoration of the Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly. In Northern Ireland we lag behind other UK jurisdictions on animal welfare issues, but it doesn’t have to be that way. It is encouraging to see Ministers and elected representatives in place who can help us to bring about this much-needed change and we welcome the fact that our new Minister is keen to advocate for animal welfare viewing it as a top priority.
“Our policy priorities are achievable with the right political will and impetus, and together as a collation we are confident that we can strive to create a future where Northern Ireland is a leading light on animal rights and welfare”
Vice-Chair of NICAWG Manager and Manager Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary, Janet Hume said:
“It’s hugely exciting to be able to unveil our key priorities at Stormont today and engage with MLAs who are also passionate about protecting animals and improving our laws in Northern Ireland. These policies are long overdue and there is much work to be done but it shouldn’t deter us. Banning the sale of third-party sale of puppies and kittens and the regulation of breeding establishments are just some of the measures that we need to address urgently. Our vulnerable companion animals need us to speak on their behalf and secure modern legislation that will improve animal welfare for pets in Northern Ireland.”
