PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Animal Welfare (13 December 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of animal welfare standards in animal sanctuaries; what plans she has to provide for regulatory oversight of animal sanctuaries; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by:
Rachael Maskell (Labour)

The welfare of animals in sanctuaries is provided for under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for an animal’s welfare needs. The Government supports moves by the sector to apply minimum standards in addition to the code of practice for the operation of animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres which the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes has developed. The Government does not currently have plans to make animal sanctuaries subject to specific regulations.

Answered by:
George Eustice (Conservative)
20 December 2016