A local animal advocacy organization in Prince Edward Island is urging the province to take action against informal breeders of companion animals such as dogs and cats. This call to action follows the European Parliament’s approval of the European Union’s initial standards governing the breeding, housing, and tracking of cats and dogs.
Karla Shalley, the president of P.E.I. CARES (Companion Animal Rescue Education Society), is spearheading a petition drive to urge the province to regulate companion animal breeding. Shalley highlighted a recent incident on P.E.I. involving the seizure of 43 dogs, emphasizing the need for legislative attention to such matters.
P.E.I. CARES has collaborated with Green Party MLA Peter Bevan‑Baker and other experts in legislation to develop proposed changes for adoption by the province. The group has been actively circulating its petition for several months.
The organization is advocating for five key measures, including mandatory licensing for breeders, enforceable care standards for breeding operations, regular inspections, proper record-keeping, and mechanisms for compliance and enforcement.
Shalley emphasized the negative outcomes of unregulated breeding, such as health issues in animals and overcrowding in shelters leading to euthanasia. Despite advocating for rescue, Shalley acknowledged that some individuals may still opt to acquire pets from breeders, emphasizing the importance of holding breeders to high ethical standards.
Sarah Hamming, a breeder from Emerald Isle Lhatese near Hunter River, supports the petition, citing the lack of regulation in breeding practices. While Hamming upholds strict standards in her operation, she expressed concerns that new regulations might impose excessive requirements on small, home-based breeders, potentially hindering their operations.
Hamming urged the province to engage not only with policymakers but also with animal welfare experts, veterinarians, and breeders to ensure that any regulations are sensible and well-considered.