Independent Coverage
Pet Industry News
Legal updates, industry developments and commentary on what matters in the world of pets.
NSW Animal Welfare Bill Would Tighten Rules on Hot-Car Dogs, Prong Collars and Cruelty Enforcement
New South Wales has introduced a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Bill. If passed, it would tighten rules on dogs in hot vehicles, painful collars, animal fighting and enforcement powers.
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Law & regulation
View all →For licensing, statutory changes, official guidance and policy developments affecting pet owners and providers across the jurisdictions Pawsettle covers.
7 May 2026
NSW Animal Welfare Bill Would Tighten Rules on Hot-Car Dogs, Prong Collars and Cruelty Enforcement
New South Wales has introduced a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Bill. If passed, it would tighten rules on dogs in hot vehicles, painful collars, animal fighting and enforcement powers.
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6 May 2026
Northern Ireland Consultation Reviews Rescue Regulation, Training Devices and Pet Microchipping
DAERA is consulting on proposed animal welfare reforms: rescue and rehoming, aversive training devices, dog microchipping, licence fees and evidence on cat microchipping. Views are invited; this is not yet law.
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1 May 2026
New Zealand Updates Cats and Dogs to Australia Export Requirements from May 2026
New Zealand has updated its cats and dogs to Australia export requirements from 1 May 2026. Pawsettle explains the OMAR update, owner planning points and the earlier export charge proposal.
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29 April 2026
Colorado Pet Store Law Will Ban Dog and Cat Sales from January 2027
Colorado has signed HB26-1011. The main pet store sales restriction is due to take effect on 1 January 2027, when stores will no longer be permitted to sell or transfer dogs and cats as the law describes, with adoption pathways for shelters and rescues retained.
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24 April 2026
UK Pet Sitting Oversight Questioned After Welfare Concerns
A recent investigation has renewed questions about UK pet sitting oversight, highlighting welfare concerns and confusion around licensing for different types of care.
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1 May 2026
Renters’ Rights Act Gives Tenants New Pet Request Rights from May 2026
Private renters in England will gain a clearer route to ask for permission to keep a pet from 1 May 2026, as new Renters’ Rights Act changes take effect.
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Welfare & veterinary
View all →For welfare developments, veterinary guidance and owner decisions that affect everyday care.
6 May 2026
National Pet Month Puts Britain's Pet Ownership and Welfare Responsibilities in Focus
APHA's National Pet Month blog discusses estimates of UK pet ownership scale and the enforcement work behind intercepting illegal pet movement; Pawsettle summarises the themes for owners.
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16 April 2026
New Guidelines Aim to Improve Diagnosis of Canine Dementia
Veterinary experts have proposed new guidance to help diagnose and monitor canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, often described as canine dementia.
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24 April 2026
Pet Fitness Trackers Raise New Questions for Owners and Vets
Pet fitness trackers are becoming more common, raising questions about how owners interpret the data and when device insights should prompt a veterinary conversation.
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2 April 2026
Ireland Opens Animal Welfare Grants Programme 2026 for Registered Charities
Ireland has opened its 2026 Animal Welfare Grants Programme, with registered animal welfare charities invited to apply for support for care, welfare services and education work.
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15 April 2026
Canada Updates Rabies Exposure Guidance for Potentially Rabid Animals
Canada has updated its guidance on assessing exposure to potentially rabid animals, keeping the 10-day observation approach for dogs, cats and ferrets that are available for observation.
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Industry & markets
View all →For investment, deals, platform changes and market shifts across the pet sector.
6 February 2026
Fresh Dog Food Brand Ollie Acquired by Agrolimen
Fresh dog food brand Ollie has been acquired by Spanish conglomerate Agrolimen, adding another major transaction to the premium pet food sector in 2026.
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26 March 2026
UK Pet Food Annual Report Highlights Nutrition and Regulation Priorities
UK Pet Food’s 2026 Annual Report highlights sector priorities across nutrition, sustainability, safety and regulation as feeding choices become more complex for pet owners.
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26 February 2026
Nasta Pet Food Secures €120 Million for FirstMate Acquisition
Nasta Pet Food has secured a €120 million financing package to support its acquisition of Canadian premium pet food manufacturer FirstMate Pet Foods.
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10 April 2026
Pet Sector Deal Activity Accelerates in 2026, Capstone Says
Pet sector merger and acquisition activity has accelerated in 2026, according to Capstone Partners’ latest Pet Sector M&A Update.
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26 March 2026
PetPax Wins the 2026 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize
Boston-based startup PetPax Co. took the $25,000 grand prize at Global Pet Expo in Orlando, beating four finalists with a fast dissolving oral supplement delivery system for dogs.
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February 2026
Lassie Raises $75 Million Series C in Major European Pet Insurance Funding Round
Swedish preventive pet insurance startup Lassie has closed a $75 million Series C, bringing its total cumulative funding to approximately $120 million. Balderton described the round as one of the largest European insurtech fundings of the past year.
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All news
Browse every published piece in order. The newest story is always featured at the top of the page.
10 April 2026
Pet Sector Deal Activity Accelerates in 2026, Capstone Says
Pet sector merger and acquisition activity has accelerated in 2026, according to Capstone Partners’ latest Pet Sector M&A Update.
Read the full piece →
1 May 2026
Renters’ Rights Act Gives Tenants New Pet Request Rights from May 2026
Private renters in England will gain a clearer route to ask for permission to keep a pet from 1 May 2026, as new Renters’ Rights Act changes take effect.
Read the full piece →
24 March 2026
CMA Sets Out Major Vet Sector Reforms for UK Pet Owners
The Competition and Markets Authority has published its final report on veterinary services for household pets, setting out reforms designed to improve transparency and cost information later in 2026.
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27 April 2026
MPs Debate Petition on Testing on Dogs and Other Animals
MPs debated a petition calling on the Government to end testing on dogs and other animals for human-use products, renewing attention on animal welfare and replacement alternatives.
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16 April 2026
New Guidelines Aim to Improve Diagnosis of Canine Dementia
Veterinary experts have proposed new guidance to help diagnose and monitor canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, often described as canine dementia.
Read the full piece →
24 April 2026
Pet Fitness Trackers Raise New Questions for Owners and Vets
Pet fitness trackers are becoming more common, raising questions about how owners interpret the data and when device insights should prompt a veterinary conversation.
Read the full piece →
2 April 2026
Ireland Opens Animal Welfare Grants Programme 2026 for Registered Charities
Ireland has opened its 2026 Animal Welfare Grants Programme, with registered animal welfare charities invited to apply for support for care, welfare services and education work.
Read the full piece →
15 April 2026
Canada Updates Rabies Exposure Guidance for Potentially Rabid Animals
Canada has updated its guidance on assessing exposure to potentially rabid animals, keeping the 10-day observation approach for dogs, cats and ferrets that are available for observation.
Read the full piece →
22 April 2026
New EU Pet Travel Rules for GB Residents Take Effect from 22 April 2026
GB residents travelling to the EU with dogs, cats or ferrets are now being told to use Animal Health Certificates, not EU pet passports, for smoother entry.
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