Introduction:
In 2024, My Licensed Breeder conducted a comprehensive survey to better understand the challenges and priorities of licensed and responsible breeders across the UK. The results shed light on key issues, from unlicensed competition to rising costs, and sparked meaningful discussions with policymakers and stakeholders.
Now, as the breeding landscape continues to evolve, we invite you to participate in the 2025 Breeder Survey. This is your chance to influence the future of breeding practices and ensure your voice is heard.
Why Participate?
- Shape the Future of Breeding: Your feedback will contribute to initiatives aimed at improving welfare standards, addressing unlicensed breeding, and ensuring fairer regulations.
- Track Industry Trends: The 2025 survey will assess whether issues such as licensing inconsistencies and operational costs have shifted over the past year.
- Be Heard by Key Decision-Makers: Survey findings will be shared with stakeholders, helping to shape policies and actions that affect breeders nationwide.
Key Findings from 2024:
- Unlicensed Breeders Remain a Significant Challenge: A large majority of respondents noted that unlicensed breeders undercut prices while failing to meet welfare standards. One breeder shared, “Out of 21,000 ads on Pets4Homes, only 2,500 were from licensed breeders.”
- Rising Costs: Most breeders reported increasing costs for licensing, vet fees, and compliance. One breeder noted spending over £18,000 on vet fees annually, highlighting the financial strain on those adhering to high welfare standards.
- Licensing Inconsistencies: Many breeders expressed frustration with varying enforcement standards across local councils. Some reported being asked to meet requirements outside of legislation, while others saw minimal action taken against unlicensed breeders.
New Focus for 2025:
Building on last year’s findings, the 2025 survey explores:
- The Future of Breeding: How do breeders envision their roles in the next 5–10 years? What changes do they want to see in regulations and support?
- Transparency and Fairness: Are licensing systems providing the necessary support, or do they need reform to meet the needs of ethical breeders?
- Unlicensed Breeders: What practical measures could address unlicensed breeding more effectively while protecting licensed breeders’ livelihoods?
Be Part of the Change:
This survey is an opportunity for responsible breeders to influence the policies and initiatives that shape the future of the industry. Your insights will help stakeholders, councils, and animal welfare organisations better understand the challenges you face and the changes you need.
The survey is confidential, takes just 20–30 minutes, and findings will be published to stakeholders later this year.
Why Your Voice Matters:
As discussions continue around potential changes to breeding regulations, this is your chance to make an impact. Whether it’s unifying licensing standards, increasing transparency, or supporting responsible breeders, your feedback can help shape the future.
Let’s work together to ensure a stronger, fairer future for dog breeding.
