What assessment it has made of proposals in Northern Ireland, which would require sellers and suppliers of puppies, and sellers of kittens …

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (the 2021 Regulations) introduced an updated, modern framework for animal-related activities, including the breeding and selling of puppies and kittens. The 2021 Regulations already require that those breeding more than 3 litters of puppies or kittens or selling animals as pets in the course of a business be licensed by the appropriate licensing authority.The Scottish Government has not made any assessment of proposals in Northern Ireland, which would require sellers and suppliers of puppies, and sellers of kittens under six months of age, to register with their local council, nor given consideration to establishing such a requirement in Scotland. However, Scottish Government officials meet regularly with officials from the UK Government and other devolved administrations to discuss issues relating to the wider pet trade.