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
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16 April 2026
UK Opens Review of Flea and Tick Treatments Over Environmental Impact Concerns
A new UK call for evidence is examining the environmental impact of some flea and tick treatments and whether professional advice should play a bigger role at the point of sale.
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6 April 2026
Primate Licensing Is Now Mandatory in England
From 6 April 2026, anyone keeping a primate privately in England without a licence is committing a criminal offence. Around 5,000 primates are estimated to be kept privately in the UK.
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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.
Read the full piece →
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.
Read the full piece →
26 March 2026
The US Pet Market Reached $158 Billion in 2025
The American Pet Products Association confirms the US pet industry grew 3.7% in 2025, with ownership expanding across all generations and cat ownership up 5% year on year.
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18 March 2026
New Livestock Protection Law Is Now in Force in England and Wales
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 came into force on 18 March, updating legislation unchanged since 1953. Unlimited fines and dog seizure powers are now live.
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