4.The Act consists of 9 sections arranged in two Parts. Part 1 requires the Scottish Ministers to make a code of practice, setting out good practice in the acquiring or transferring of puppies and dogs; and Part 2 consists of general provisions.
5.The main animal welfare legislation in Scotland is the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 replaced previous legislation covering pet sales and dog breeding. They provide for the licensing of persons who in Scotland carry on activities of breeding dogs, cats or rabbits, selling or rehoming animals as pets or operating animal welfare establishments. The regulations lowered the threshold of the number of litters that trigger the need to become licensed from five to three. The scope was extended beyond the sale of puppies to apply when puppies are sold “or otherwise supplied.”
Summary of and Background to the Act