Irresponsible breedingThere is an urgent need for better traceability of breeders, puppies and kittens. Based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests carried out by Battersea, we estimate that less that 10% of puppies in England come from licensed breeders. There is also currently no legislation which regulates cat breeding in England or Wales. This means that many puppies and kittens are bred with no oversight of their welfare, while the enforcement of licensing requirements remains patchy and all too often ineffective.The reduced supply and high demand for pets during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in higher priced animals and breeding became highly attractive to unethical breeders. Now demand has decreased, and Battersea has seen an increasing number of puppies and kittens arriving at our centres, and a significant rise in the numbers of puppies and kittens born onsite. Battersea is calling on the Governments of the UK to regulate cat breeding, to strengthen dog breeding Regulations, and implement a registration system for breeding outside of the regulatory requirements. This would ensure there are no loopholes that allow low welfare breeders to breed or sell puppies and kittens, ensure full traceability of animals, and reduce the number of dogs and cats being relinquished or abandoned.Battersea research has also found that an inconsistent approach to enforcement of animal licensing regulations puts animal welfare at risk, and must be tackled as part of a Government review of licensing. Breeding for exaggerated characteristicsSelective breeding of dogs and cats for exaggerated characteristics such as a flat face, excessively muscular dogs or the short legs of munchkin cats or dachshunds, pose serious health and welfare concerns for the animals involved. These cats and dogs can suffer with respiratory difficulties, problems giving birth, and issues with the joints, eyes and skin. Yet these features exist solely because of a human demand for a certain aesthetic.The number of bull breeds and brachycephalic animals arriving at Battersea centres continues to rise year on year, with many needing to undergo major, and in some cases lifesaving, surgery just to be able to breathe. In 2015 our clinic carried out 7 BOAS surgeries (to open their airways), in 2023 this number had risen to 78. Many of these animals are gifted to Battersea because their owners simply cannot afford to resolve their medical issues.The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 state that no dog should be kept for breeding by licensed breeders if breeding from it endangers the health and welfare of either the dog itself or its offspring. We believe these regulations should be improved and become law for anyone breeding dogs, licensed or otherwise. No cat or dog should be bred for exaggerated characteristics. Battersea will work to improve legislation that governs dog breeding and we are calling for cat breeding to be a regulated activity in England and Wales with similar genetic and physical health requirements that exist for regulated dog breeding.