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CCDR congratulates Irish politician Jennifer Whitmore and @DogLawIreland for their leadership in advancing important amendments to the Dog Welfare Bill in the Republic of Ireland. Their work outlines a robust set of protections that place the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies at the centre of legislation.

While these reforms apply only within Ireland, they highlight significant gaps in safeguarding across Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This moment offers an important opportunity for us to reflect, learn from the progress of others, and strengthen how we protect our own companion animals.

These changes will also help improve the welfare of puppies being purchased or sold in Northern Ireland from Ireland, ensuring better standards and clearer expectations for breeders and buyers alike.

Ethical breeding is essential, not only to protect animals, but also to safeguard people from unknowingly engaging with unethical or irresponsible breeders. CCDR is grateful for the expertise of @DogLawIreland, whose support and detailed legislative insight continue to guide this important work. 🐾

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Tara Cunningham, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue talks to Dr Rowena Packer. Rowena is an academic researching many different areas in companion animal welfare but has particularly and avid publisher in all areas relating to dog welfare. One of Rowena's significant articles published centralised around dog breeding during COVID, pandemic restrictions and the impact afterwards.

Dr Rowena Packer Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, breeding for better welfare, and caregiver burden. Rowena has co-authored more than 100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health. Rowena is a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dog

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Dr Rowena Packer presented her findings on breeding in Northern Ireland during and following the opening up of pandemic restrictions.

Rowena has published over 100 papers and aims to source information which will support evidence based decision making to improve animal welfare in the UK.

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X, and please go to our website for support and information, as well as details on how to make a donation or do some fundraising! 🐾😊