5. How is the Welsh Government supporting animal rehoming centres to care for dogs rescued from illegal breeding? OQ58248

Thank you. Our local authority enforcement project has contributed to significant seizures of illegally bred puppies. However, I am aware of additional pressures facing the animal rehoming sector in a post-pandemic landscape alongside the cost-of-living crisis. We work with our third sector partners to consider and support solutions wherever possible.

Thank you, Minister. I recently visited Hope Rescue centre with Huw Irranca-Davies, as he mentioned, and I think we can all agree that the visit from Hope Rescue and south Wales greyhound rescue has left a massive impression on a lot of us, just by the questions that we've had today. But I think we can all see, like you said, just how outstanding the care for the dogs was. On our visit to the centre, though, the staff told us how they are now inundated with seized dogs from illegal breeders. The BBC reported that investigations into illegal dog breeding have risen by 63 per cent in Wales. This is very much a good thing, but they are of course then signed over to the rescue centres for care, and they're just absolutely inundated. They actually told me that, since our visit two weeks ago, 10 poorly bulldogs have been seized, and the issue is that whilst an investigation then takes place by the police, the seized dogs can't move on, so this is creating a huge backlog of dogs within the centre, and there's just a lack of space now for new dogs if they need to be rescued. They said that if there's one more call from the police now, they're just going to have to say 'no'; they can't take anymore. So, Minister, how is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to strengthen the regulations and prevent illegal dog breeding within our communities, but, more than anything, is there anything that can be done or a timescale put on how long the dogs can be in the home before they can be rehomed?

Thank you. I think you raise a really important point, and that small dog I had tucked under my arm for quite a long time on that walk was one such animal that they could not rehouse. I know in Scotland they have been looking at it, and I've asked officials to liaise with officials in Scotland to see if there's anything we can learn from them to be able to, as you say, look at that timescale from it. The capacity to investigate and stop illegal breeding has really increased significantly within local authorities, and that's as a direct result of the enforcement project that we brought forward. The project tackles the barriers to enforcement. It does provide enhanced training and guidance for our inspectors, and it maximises the use of existing resources within individual local authorities and across Wales. So, I was really pleased to see the project had been commended by the RSPCA and by the BBC recently, but I don't underestimate the significant work we still need to do.

Thank you, Sarah, for raising this important issue. You're right—63 per cent of illegal dog breeding has been reported by the BBC, although the number of prosecutions remains very low. What specific action can be taken as part of your animal welfare plan to ensure that there is capacity within the rehoming centres to deal with such an increase and work with the RSPCA to reinforce the importance of prosecution? Thank you.

Yes. I don't think we need to enforce the importance of prosecution; it's something that I've raised in my discussions with the police, which is obviously not a devolved area, but I've certainly had discussions with the RSPCA, and I've been out, as I suppose many Members in the Chamber have been, with the RSPCA and seen the difficulties they face if they come across a situation where they think that dog needs to be taken away and they don't have the powers to do so. So, we've worked very closely with the RSPCA around that and continue to do so. I am really grateful for the very strong relationship we have with those third sector organisations and with the local authorities. I think it really is now something that we need to continue to pursue with the police.