Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill 2024-26


make provision for and in connection with restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.

Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)

What is this Bill?

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is a Ballot Bill tabled by Danny Chambers.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

Yes. This Bill was introduced on 16 October 2024 and is currently before Parliament.

Whose idea is this Bill?

As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Danny Chambers), not the Government.

What type of Bill is this?

20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.

The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.

So is this going to become a law?

Historically, between 3 and 13 of the 20 Ballot Bills have succeeded in becoming enacted into law. Therefore, provided this bill is sufficiently high in the Ballot and the Government has no means to object to the bill, it has the greatest chance of PMBs to be enacted into law.

How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?

The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill

Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates

Next Event: There is no future stage currently scheduled for this bill

Last Event: Friday 4th July 2025 - Report stage (Commons)

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons - 80%

Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages

4th July 2025
Report stage (Commons)
3rd July 2025
Legislative Consent Motions-devolved legislatures
Legislative Consent Motion agreed by the Northern Ireland Assembly - 1 July 2025
2nd July 2025
Briefing papers
Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill 2024-25
26th June 2025
Legislative Consent Motions-devolved legislatures
Legislative Consent Motion agreed by the Scottish Parliament - 26 June 2025
15th May 2025
Bill
Bill 239 2024-25 (as amended in Public Bill Committee)
14th May 2025
Committee stage (Commons)
14th May 2025
Amendment Paper
Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 14 May 2025
14th May 2025
Bill proceedings: Commons
Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 14 May 2025
13th May 2025
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 13 May 2025
13th May 2025
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment of changes to the non-commercial pet travel rules brought forward in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill
13th May 2025
Selection of amendments: Commons
Chair’s provision selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 14 May 2025
12th May 2025
Money resolution
9th May 2025
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 9 May 2025
8th May 2025
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 8 May 2025
29th November 2024
2nd reading (Commons)
27th November 2024
Bill
Bill 028 2024-25 (as introduced)
27th November 2024
Bill
Bill 028 2024-25 (as introduced) - xml download
27th November 2024
Explanatory Notes
Bill 028 EN 2024-25
27th November 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Memorandum from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
16th October 2024
1st reading (Commons)