Our work to end puppy smuggling
For more than a decade, we have been campaigning to stop the smuggling of puppies into the UK.
For more than a decade, we've been campaigning to end the vile puppy smuggling trade for good. Now, we’re one huge step closer, thanks to your support. The Animal Welfare Bill has passed through Parliament and will become law, a landmark victory in the fight against puppy smuggling.
This legislation gives the Government powers to:
- Raise the age at which dogs can be brought into the country to 6 months
- Ban the importation and sale of dogs with cruel mutilations such as cropped ears
- Ban the import of heavily pregnant dogs
- Introduce tougher penalties for those caught illegally importing dogs
Our fight against Puppy Smuggling
Since 2012, the Pet Travel Scheme has been exploited by illegal traders to smuggle thousands of puppies into the UK, often too young, unvaccinated, and transported in poor conditions. We first exposed this trade in 2014 and has campaigned for change ever since.
2011
We raised concerns when changes to the Pet Travel Scheme made it easier for smugglers to bring puppies into the UK.
2014
Our first undercover investigation confirmed that puppies were being smuggled illegally, often in horrifying conditions.
2015
We launched the Puppy Pilot, a scheme to care for puppies seized at the border.
We exposed flaws in border checks by successfully smuggling a stuffed toy dog into the UK three times using fake documents.
2016
We took the issue public with our Spread the Word campaign, using interactive billboards and real stories of rescued puppies.
2017 and 2018
We uncovered more evidence of smuggling, including falsified pet passports and sedated puppies transported across borders.
2019
We cared for our 1,000th dog rescued through the Puppy Pilot. Political promises followed, but progress remained slow.
2020
Our 5th investigation showed the trade was still thriving. We shared heartbreaking stories from people who had unknowingly bought smuggled puppies.
2021
The Government introduced the Kept Animals Bill, and our work was recognised with a Parliamentary Charity Award.
2022
When the Bill stalled, we launched our ‘No Checks No Change’ campaign to highlight how easy it was for smugglers to bring puppies into the UK without visual checks at the border.
2023
We cared for our 3,000th dog through the Puppy Pilot. And launched our Decade of Delay campaign, showing the cost of inaction through real case studies.
2024
A new Bill was introduced, but it was shelved when a general election was called.
2025
Thanks to Danny Chambers MP and thousands of supporters, the Animal Welfare Bill passed through Parliament to become law. This marks a major step forward in ending the cruel trade in smuggled puppies.
Our Puppy Pilot scheme
Our Puppy Pilot began in 2015 as a short-term project to support the Government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in caring for illegally imported puppies intercepted at UK ports. It quickly became a lifeline for the poor pups, who were arriving dangerously young, sometimes just four weeks old, unvaccinated, and in shocking conditions. Some had open wounds from ear cropping, others were heavily pregnant and close to giving birth.
Without the Puppy Pilot, these animals would have had nowhere to go. Today, it’s a vital service that saves lives and helps stop illegal traders in their tracks.
Since its launch, the Puppy Pilot has cared for over 3,200 smuggled puppies and 173 pregnant dogs. If sold, we estimate that the puppies we’ve cared for could have made smugglers over £5 million.
The Puppy Pilot has given thousands of dogs a second chance, and now tougher laws mean fewer will face such cruelty in the first place.
We’re not stopping here. Passing the Animal Welfare Bill is a huge win, but now the real work begins. We’ll be monitoring every step to ensure the Government delivers on its promises to raise import ages, ban cruel mutilations, and enforce tougher penalties for puppy smugglers.
By holding decision-makers to account, we’ll make sure this legislation isn’t just words on paper, but real, lasting protection for dogs.
Sign up to become a Pawlitical Champion and help us push the Government to continue to take action on puppy smuggling and beyond.
Don’t fall victim to this vile trade
Our buying advice and information on how to choose a puppy a litter will help you find a healthy, happy dog from a responsible breeder while avoiding irresponsible breeders and smuggled puppies.
If you have concerns about the welfare of the puppies or their mother, you should contact the RSPCA (England and Wales) or the SSPCA (Scotland).
Paws for Thought in Northern Ireland
If you are in Northern Ireland and have witnessed suspicious activity or potential offences relating to the transportation of puppies, please:
- Report it to Belfast Harbour Police on 028 90533000 or call 101 and ask for Belfast Harbour Police
- Speak directly to a member of staff at the Port of Larne or email pawsforthought@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
- Contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs directly on pawsforthought@daera-ni.gov.uk
Join our campaign
Discover how you can take action to end puppy smuggling for good.
Our investigations
We’ve been investigating and exposing the scale of the illegally imported puppy trade for almost a decade. Explore the findings of our reports.
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