Pets exploited for profit? Not happening thanks to Nature Watch Foundation's grant scheme

It’s thought as many as 50% of puppies are supplied from illegal sources.

Applications open on January 24th for a new Pet Rescue Grant to help dogs, cats and rabbits impacted by illegal breeding and selling in the UK.

The new grant of £5,000, being made available by Naturewatch Foundation, is open to UK charities and community interest companies (CICs) to help support rescue and rehabilitation of animals who have been affected by the illegal pet trade.

Over half of UK households own a pet, and it’s thought as many as 50% of puppies are supplied from illegal sources. Low-welfare breeding has an absolutely devastating impact on animal welfare and owners, and the illicit pet trade has increasingly attracted the involvement of organised crime gangs.

Naturewatch Foundation campaigns for better pet welfare protections and investigates tip-offs from the public about the illegal pet trade. The charity is launching the grant at a time when the animal rescue sector is facing mounting challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis and rising abandonments.

The charity's Natalie Harney said, “As an animal-loving nation, it’s a tragedy so many of our beloved pets are the product of the illicit pet trade. We’ve been campaigning and investigating to end illegal breeding for years, but we know without the rescue sector, many abused and exploited pets just wouldn’t get the loving care and specialist support they need and deserve. The Pet Rescue Grant is our small way of helping those selfless organisations that pick up the pieces.”

Rescue organisations that are interested in applying can visit naturewatch.org/petrescuegrant or email petrescuegrant@naturewatch.org to find out more. Applications are open now and close on 21st February 2024.

That's Pets would be grateful if you could forward this blogpost to as many people as you can to help promote this very important issue. Thank you.