Richard hosted a roundtable in Parliament regarding the standards of rescue centres.
Speaking after the meeting, Richard said:
"I was really pleased to bring together some of the UK’s leading animal welfare charities in Parliament for a roundtable on my Private Members’ Bill to introduce proper licensing for animal shelters and rescue centres.
We had representatives from Dogs Trust, The RSPCA, Born Free, Battersea, and the Kennel Club and many others who are all doing brilliant work right across the country.
We had a really constructive discussion about what the Bill does, how it could be improved, and how it fits alongside the Government’s wider Animal Welfare Strategy, which is due to be published later this year.
I brought this Bill forward because I want to make sure that every animal in a rescue centre gets the care and protection it deserves, and that the fantastic charities and volunteers doing things properly aren’t being undercut by poor practice elsewhere.
A big thank you to everyone who came along, and if you haven’t already signed Paul Watkinson’s petition to support the campaign, please do. If we can get it to 100,000 signatures, we’ll be able to secure a full debate in the House of Commons and put the case to Government directly. We’re on almost 63,000 now. Almost 2,000 people in Basildon and Billericay have already signed up but we need friends and family right across the country to help too, so please share it with them and ask them to sign and share >>>
Please SIGN and SHARE >>> https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718660."
