PLEASE ACT NOW
The recent Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill will help stop the import of young farmed puppies and help crack down on dog mutilation in the UK and in imported dogs. However it prevents the importation of docked dogs and currently our rescue dogs may suffer as an unintended consequence as they are not exempt. This affects many breeds including Brittanys, German Pointers, Griffons and many other gundog breeds.
In the next few weeks there will be public consultations and debates in the houses of commons as the detailed legislation and exemptions are drawn up. WE WANT OUR RESCUE DOGS TO BE PROTECTED AND NOT EXCLUDED.
We are campaigning with other UK Charities to gain exemptions for our dogs, and we hope you will join us. We know we have been heard, but the strength of opinion will be important and your MPs need to hear your voices.
- Right now, you can sign the petition to show your support, if you have already done it please share it with others. It has already gained great traction and is showing the support our rescue dogs have..
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/746353
- Write to your MP or a member of the House of Lords today. We’re asking for an exemption so our docked and tail-less dogs can still be rescued and find homes in the UK. We’re asking supporters to help make the case for responsible rescue.
You can check who your MP is here https://www.theyworkforyou.com/
Your letters don’t need to be long or formal, there is more info below and we have added some suggested templates below
BACKGROUND ON SeBPRA
SeBPRA is a UK-registered charity that rescues unwanted working gun dogs from Spain and rehomes in the UK. SeBPRA is a breed rescue concentrating on Setters, Brittanys and Pointers, these working breeds are not classified as pets in Spain, they have no protection under law and very few options to rehome the hundreds discarded by hunters every year. Many of these dogs would face neglect, abandonment, or death without foreign rescue work.
In the UK these breeds are very rare in dog rescue shelters, so dog owners looking for these breeds either buy from puppy breeders or look at rescue dogs from abroad. The work of SeBPRA and other similar charities fills a unique welfare gap, and they are not in competition with UK rescues. SeBPRA adoption fees are far higher than typical UK rescue, this helps towards the high cost disease testing, health checks, vaccinating and commercially importing these dogs but also ensures we do not compete with local rescues.
In the UK, SeBPRA dogs are rehomed to experienced, checked homes with strict disease testing (Brucella and Mediterranean diseases), neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
Many of our dogs are previously docked for working purposes, the German Pointers and Brittanys in particular. We also have many naturally tail-less Brittanys, which is a breed characteristic and could easily be perceived at the border as a docked dog, and denied entry. In the UK working dogs may be docked and given a vet certificate. We ask that our “docked to work” rescue dogs are also given the benefit of a recognised certificate and an exemption in the Animal Welfare Bill to allow them to enter the UK.
You can read our full “SeBPRA’s request for Exemption” here.. https://sebpra.org/request-for-exemption/
A LETTER TO YOUR MP
Start by being really clear that you support the Bill and its aims, like stopping puppy smuggling and protecting animals from cruelty – this is very important as we must be seen as supportive and constructive.
Then talk about why an exemption for SeBPRA is so important: to save previously docked German Pointers and docked or tail-less Brittanys genuinely in need, without opening the door to abuse or loopholes.
Talk about SeBPRA’s very high testing, rehoming, and welfare standards. The main points are listed below – you can use as much or as little as you want, or rephrase.
Ask your MP to contact the Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, Baroness Hayman of Ullock to raise this issue, and ask who else should be contacted to ensure your letter reaches the right people.
And finally… Tell your story! Share your experiences with your SeBPRA dogs, why you love the breed, and how responsible international rescue makes such a difference. Photos are especially powerful — show off your beautiful dogs! Personal stories and images really help MPs and Lords understand the impact of the work and why exemptions matter.
PARLIAMENT LETTER TEMPLATE SUGGESTIONS:
PERSONAL LETTER
Subject: Support for SeBPRA and the importing of rescue Brittanys and German Pointers.
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing as a constituent and a supporter of Setter, Brittany and Pointer Rescue (SeBPRA). I’m very pleased to see the Government introducing the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, which aims to stop puppy smuggling and protect animals from cruelty.
I want to make sure that responsible charities like SeBPRA can continue their important work. SeBPRA is a UK-registered charity and a breed rescue concentrating on Spanish Setters, Brittanys and Pointers, these working breeds are not classified as pets in Spain, they have no protection under law and very few options to rehome in Spain, but hundreds are discarded by hunters every year. Many of these dogs would face neglect, abandonment, or death without foreign rescue work. SeBPRA rescues them, rehoming each dog carefully with experienced UK owners, including full health checks, disease testing, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
The Brittanys and German Pointers are usually docked for working purposes before rescue, in order to allow these dogs to be rehomed in the UK, we need an exemption for docked rescue dogs in the Animal Welfare Act.
I understand that the details of exemptions will be decided in secondary legislation. I hope you will support consultation with SeBPRA and other affected rescues in drafting this legislation, so that Brittanys and German Pointers docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued safely and responsibly.
Please could you raise this issue with the Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, and also advise who else I should contact about this issue to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully protected?
Finally, I’d love to share a photo/story of my dog to show the difference SeBPRA makes!
Thank you for your support and for helping to protect both animal welfare and responsible rescue efforts.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
FORMAL LETTER
Subject: Support for Exemptions in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing to express my support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, particularly its aim to prevent puppy smuggling and the import of animals that have suffered cruelty.
I also wish to raise the importance of including exemptions for responsible rescue organisations, such as SeBPRA.
SeBPRA is a UK-registered charity that rescues Brittanys and Pointers from Spain, where these dogs are almost exclusively working hunting dogs and are docked for legitimate purposes. Many of these dogs would face neglect, abandonment, or death without the help of foreign rescue. In the UK, they are rehomed to experienced, checked homes with strict disease testing (Brucella and Mediterranean diseases), neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
I understand that the Bill will enable secondary legislation to determine the details of exemptions. I strongly support the principle that SeBPRA should be consulted during the drafting of this secondary legislation, so that adult Brittanys and Pointers, docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued from overseas via regulated, disease-tested routes. This would protect animal welfare while ensuring the Bill is not misapplied to responsible charities.
I would like to share my personal experience with Setter, Brittany and Pointer Rescue (SeBPRA). Our family has welcomed [Dog’s Name] into our home, and through SeBPRA’s careful vetting, medical testing, and lifelong support, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of their work. This experience illustrates the importance of allowing registered charities like SeBPRA to continue their specialist rescue work, ensuring that adult gundogs, docked for working purposes, can be rehomed safely and responsibly in the UK.
I hope you will support including such provisions in secondary legislation and ensure that legitimate rescue work is not inadvertently blocked. I would also be grateful if you could raise this issue with the Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, and advise who else I should contact to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully considered.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
FRIENDLY LETTER
Subject: Help Our Rescue Brittanys and Pointers
Dear [MP Name],
I’m writing to show my support for Setter, Brittany and Pointer Rescue (SeBPRA) and the incredible work they do rescuing Brittanys and Pointers in Spain. These dogs are docked for working purposes and, without rescue, many would face neglect or even death.
SeBPRA rehomes them safely in the UK, with full health checks, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support. They work closely with experienced adopters, ensuring these dogs never become a burden on shelters.
I hope you will support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill and exemptions for rescue docked dogs, and to ensure SeBPRA is consulted in drafting the secondary legislation, so they can continue this lifesaving work.
Please could contact the relevant Minister to make sure the welfare of these dogs is fully protected?
I’ve attached photos of my dogs, to show the difference this rescue makes.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name][Address]
[Email]
CONCISE LETTER
Subject: Protect Rescue of Brittanys and Pointers in the UK
Dear [MP Name],
I fully support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill to stop puppy smuggling and cruelty. I also want to ensure responsible UK Charities like SeBPRA can continue rescuing Brittanys and German Pointers from Spain. These dogs are previously docked as they are used almost solely as working dogs in Spain.
Without foreign rescue, many face neglect or death. SeBPRA rehomes every dog carefully with health checks, disease testing, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
Please support consultation with SeBPRA when drafting the secondary legislation, so adult dogs docked for working purposes can continue to be rescued safely via regulated routes.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
A VERY QUICK LETTER
Subject: IMPORT OF DOCKED RESCUE DOGS
Dear [MP Name],
I support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill but ask that there is an exemption in the secondary legislation to allow rescue dogs previously docked for working purposes in Europe, to be rescued safely via regulated routes and rehomed in the UK.
These dogs face neglect or death without rescue, and UK Charities like SeBPRA rehome them with full health checks, neutering, microchipping, and lifetime support.
Thank you for considering this.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Email]
