Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all dog rescue organisations adhere to a standardised national framework for the safe rehoming of dogs.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, any person responsible for an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, has a duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Companion animal rescue and rehoming organisations in England and Wales must therefore comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. We would encourage individuals to report any concerns regarding whether these standards are being met to the relevant local authority.

Defra always urges prospective owners to consider rehoming from a reputable organisation in the United Kingdom. Members of the public can check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures that all members adhere to.