The licensing and regulation of animal rescue centres
Petitions debate
The petition
In April 2025, Paul Watkinson created a petition asking the Government to introduce Licensing and Regulation for Dog and Cat Rescues to Protect Welfare. His friend Niki Roe helped him campaign about the issue.
Over 100,000 people agreed with Paul and signed his petition.
Petitions debate
The Petitions Committee scheduled a debate on the petition in Westminster Hall
It was led by Irene Campbell MP on Monday 26 January 2026.
During the debate, Irene thanked Paul and Niki for their hard work campaigning about animal rescues:
“I thank the petitioner Paul Watkinson and his colleague Niki Roe for their hard work in gathering almost 110,000 signatures for this petition, which is a fantastic achievement.”
Irene spoke in support of the petition's request:
“Rescue animals are some of the most vulnerable animals. It is important that as lawmakers we do our best to fully protect them. Being a registered rescue should not be voluntary, and the Government are right to take steps to address the issue.”
Government response
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affair, Dame Angela Eagle, responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.
She began by thanking the Petitions Committee, the people who signed the petition and Irene:
“I thank the Petitions Committee and everyone who signed the petition for raising this important issue, especially the 164 from my own constituency of Wallasey.
“I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Irene Campbell) for opening the debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee in the way that she did.”
The Minister said she was open to discussing the proposal to introduce licensing for animal rescues:
“The strength of public support behind the petition reflects a clear and shared concern. There was certainly cross-party consensus in the debate today about the state of sections of the rescue and rehousing sector, and I welcome this opportunity to discuss the proposal to introduce licensing and regulation for dog and cat rescues.”
She also consistently maintained that the government is committed to improving animal welfare:
“I also want to reiterate the Government’s commitment to boosting animal welfare across the board.”
Paul and Niki's response
“Standing in Westminster and hearing animals spoken about with such care and seriousness is something Niki and I will never forget.
“This petition grew from lived experience inside rescue, from seeing both the incredible compassion of good rescues and the gaps that can leave animals vulnerable. Through Niki’s rescue, we have met so many animals who depend on people to get this right.
“We are deeply grateful to the team behind NoToRogueRescues, to the dedicated ladies who tirelessly handed out leaflets each weekend, and to everyone who signed and helped carry the voices of the voiceless into Parliament.
“We believe that with sensible regulation, support and fairness, we can protect welfare, strengthen good rescues and give the public confidence that every animal is safe.”
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