UK Makes History With New Animal Welfare Laws / Initiative

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The United Kingdom is making history with new laws / amendments aimed at improving animal welfare. These historic changes will tackle various areas of welfare and will improve protections for animals both within the UK, and across the globe. 

“We are a nation of animal lovers and were the first country in the world to pass animal welfare laws. Our Action Plan for Animal Welfare will deliver on our manifesto commitment to ban the export of live animals for slaughter, prohibit keeping primates as pets, and bring in new laws to tackle puppy smuggling,” 
Environment Secretary George Eustice

HELPING PETS

Among the changes, compulsory microchips for cats, introducing a task force to crack down on pet theft, and tackling puppy mills. Puppy mills are by far, one of the most exploitative and disgusting animal "industries" out there. Breeding dogs are forced to breed repeatedly over their lives, often living in cramped spaces. Puppies are stripped away and sold while the mothers are soon after, forced to breed once again. The people in these industries are well aware of the allure of a puppy and know they'll fetch a pretty penny. 

Unfortunately, the innocent animals left in shelters because of these puppies are also victims of puppy mills. Sweet, loving animals looking for a second chance are left to rot in shelters while sick people profit off of the sales of these adorable little puppies. People need to wake up to the atrocities of buying puppies from breeders and the damage they're doing to shelter animals. I'm super stoked about the increased attention and resources that will be put towards ending puppy mills and puppy trafficking.

Protecting Wild Animals

Among the changes included are banning the sale of ivory, exploring a ban on foie gras, and banning the import of trophies from endangered animals. When it comes to endangered animals, nobody should be above the necessity of protecting these animals. No amount of money should be able to buy you the opportunity to slaughter an endangered animal for "sport". 

Small Steps for Farm Animals

Farm animals are often the least protected in every country. Whether we're talking about factory farmed animals, or small, family run operations, these animals lack most rights given to animals like dogs or cats. Among the changes, examining the use of cages / farrowing crates for chickens / pigs, banning live animal exports for slaughter, and improving welfare at slaughter. The last one has me a bit conflicted in terms of what kind of improvements one could make when ending an animal's life.

This almost somehow indicates the recognizance that animals within the UK are not treated very well when being slaughtered, doesn't it? Or is it simply an ignorant suggestion of improvements that sound great, but don't really do much to negate the fact that terrified animals are slaughtered by the millions every day. I don't know, I guess it's imperative to be grateful for ANY improvements when it comes to animal welfare, but it seems that farm animal were kind of left behind again here.

As I said, it's super important to always be positive about improvements made towards animal welfare. After all, that's what we're fighting for every day right? 

Want to know the full spectrum of what's included in these animal welfare improvements? Visit the link at the top of this post for the original story from World Animal News.

HAPPY VEG