So, I'd like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to everybody who's spoken here today, including the Minister, and Sam Kurtz for opening the debate so well. As we've heard many times this afternoon, currently, there is no legislation in place in Wales, so anyone can set up their own rehoming organisation or sanctuary. And I have to say, most of these are set up with very good intentions. Now, whilst many animal welfare establishments in Wales achieve extremely high standards of welfare, some recent tragic case studies—and they've been mentioned here today—can attest to the fact that there are organisations and individuals operating as rescues who can sometimes become overwhelmed with animals and struggle to meet the welfare needs of the animals in their care.

As well as ensuring that our selfless animal protection organisations have the support they need, regulating rescues would also make it easier to distinguish between genuine rescue and rehoming centres and back-street breeders and third-party sellers who try to bypass recent laws prohibiting third-party sales of puppies and kittens by pretending to be a rescue sanctuary. In highlighting the scale of the problem, only last month, and following a seven-month investigation by National Trading Standards and Trading Standards Wales, nearly 200 dogs were rescued from a suspected illegal puppy farm in Carmarthenshire. As Members have rightly pointed out, such as Alun Davies and his concerns about standards in some rescue centres, there's been enough talk now, and I agree with him in calling for more action from the Minister.

Gareth Davies pointed out the very obvious and proactive approach that's already been taken elsewhere in the UK, and that anyone can set up a sanctuary without any regulations. Indeed, the Scottish Government has already passed regulations, which came into force on 3 September 2021. Elsewhere, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be consulting on proposals to regulate the sector in England by late 2021-22. This is why I share in the disappointment registered by both the Blue Cross and the Companion Animal Welfare Group Wales that the timelines laid out in the Welsh Government's animal welfare plan show a real lack of urgency, which could lead to exploitation by unscrupulous breeders and leave Wales lagging behind other nations. Despite more than two decades of devolution, the Welsh Government's slow pace of action in this area has now led to Wales being unsympathetically dubbed as the puppy farming capital of the UK. That is not a moniker that we want to stick, and inaction leaves our charitable sector to pick up the pieces. It is precisely for this reason that the likes of Dogs Trust want to work with the Welsh Government towards regulation of rehoming organisations and sanctuaries, ensuring full traceability of all puppies bred and sold. I know the Minister knows I've gone on and on about this, but I hate it when I see on Facebook people breeding dogs for profit and then trying to sell them on Facebook at very young ages. So, I hope that today's support for this Welsh Conservative motion will urge the Minister to review the timetable for regulations and work with stakeholders to confront this scourge.

Thank you to Cefin Campbell for his contribution outlining just how outdated the animal companion legislation has become, and also for pledging the support of Plaid Cymru for our motion. Natasha Asghar paid tribute to those good organisations who are safeguarding our four-legged friends. Darren Millar talked about Blue, his rescue whippet, and also mentioned North Clwyd Animal Rescue—my late parents were very pleased and absolutely loved their little dog they got from there—and mentioned the Welsh Mountain Zoo and the RSPCA in Bryn-y-maen. Jane Dodds talked about Arthur as an ex-racing greyhound and the benefit of the good rehoming centres, but that training, support and regulation is vital. 

With an estimated 650,000 dogs living in 440,000 Welsh homes, and an estimated 607,000 cats living in 26 per cent of Welsh households, it is clear that we are a proud nation of animal lovers. Carolyn Thomas, thank you for your contribution and for speaking about the risks of taking in additional animals, and that actually then all the reasons that these people set out hoping to safeguard animals become part of a bigger problem. 

As Father Christmas begins to saddle up his sleigh and the reindeer bells begin to chime overhead, let us all remember that a pet is for life and not just for the festive holidays. They are ceaselessly loving, sentient and endlessly loyal members of our families. So, let's ensure that we have the means, the time, and the wherewithal now, Minister, the legislation that we need, to ensure that we provide the life of happiness that they so desperately deserve. Thank you. Diolch, Llywydd.