People considering buying a pet for Christmas have been urged to ensure that sellers are licensed before purchasing a pet.

The advice follows an increase in reports to Tendring District Council about businesses allegedly operating without the correct licence.

Lucy’s Law, introduced in 2020, makes it illegal for anyone other than the breeder to sell a puppy or kitten in England. Anyone conducting an animal-related activity with the intention of making a profit is now required by law to hold a licence if their income, not just profit, exceeds £1,000 a year – including those offering animal boarding, day care services, riding lessons, pony rides, horses for loan, and animals for exhibition.

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC’s cabinet member for environment, said: “It is essential that anyone who does buy an animal checks that operators have the necessary licence in place, as required by the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018. It ensures that certain criteria and animal welfare standards are met.”

Cllr Smith added: “Before buying a pet, I would encourage residents to consider providing a loving new home to an animal from one of our district’s rescue and rehoming centres.”

TDC is the licensing and enforcing authority for a range of animal activities in Tendring and maintains a public register of licensed animal sellers and related businesses at tendringdc.gov.uk/content/animal-licensing-registers.