Skipton and Ripon MP, Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, is calling on residents to support a new petition that could lead to a Parliamentary debate on the licensing of animal shelters across England and Wales. The petition, which has already attracted over 50,000 signatures, supports the Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill - a cross-party initiative co-sponsored by Julian and ten other MPs.
Currently, animal shelters operate without mandatory licensing leaving room for poor practices. Some have been associated with irresponsible breeding, inadequate animal care, or misuse of public donations. The Bill aims to introduce clear, enforceable standards to ensure all shelters meet basic welfare requirements and operate transparently.
“The current system is failing vulnerable animals,” said Julian. “This Bill will close a gap in the law and ensure that all rescue centres are held to the same high standards. It is important that this issue is debated in Parliament, and that is why I am calling on residents across Skipton and Ripon to sign the petition."
The petition can be signed at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718660
If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a full debate in Parliament - an important step toward making the Bill law.
