The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) released a supplementary report on 28 September 2026 following the work of an Expert Advisory Group.
This group was tasked with reviewing the Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland after being appointed to examine animal welfare standards as part of the Minister's Animal Welfare Pathway programme.
Professor Gareth Arnott from Queen's University Belfast led the independent panel alongside veterinary surgeon Susan Cunningham and legal expert Vanessa Barnes.
The review identified that commercial canine fertility services have expanded quickly across the United Kingdom, raising concerns regarding animal welfare, consumer protection and enforcement capabilities.
While only a limited number of operators are currently registered in Northern Ireland, evidence gathered by the group suggests additional services may be accessible via social media and online pet-selling platforms.
The report recommends that these services should generally be provided within registered veterinary practices rather than standalone commercial premises.
It also proposes licensing requirements for any facilities operating outside those established veterinary settings.
Furthermore, the guidance calls for a named responsible veterinary surgeon and appropriately qualified staff to oversee operations.
Mandatory veterinary fitness-to-breed assessments are proposed as a prerequisite before any fertility service can be delivered.
The absence of a dedicated regulatory framework and verified data means the overall scale and nature of activity remain unclear.
The group noted that rapid growth in this sector has created significant risks for both animal welfare and public confidence in enforcement mechanisms.
Completion of this review forms part of the wider programme of animal welfare reforms aimed at delivering lasting improvements to standards across Northern Ireland.