The legal and legitimate pet trade strives to ensure high standards of animal welfare, the integrity of its supply chains and promoting responsible ownership. The legal and legitimate trade which we represent is committed to joining and working together with others to address how illegal and illicit activity can be prevented, to ensure the integrity of its supply chains in the animals traded and kept as pets - i.e. they are sourced legally, sustainably and responsibly and ensuring good welfare standards.

The vast majority of animals kept as pets are legally traded and kept in good conditions by both responsible and knowledgeable sellers and owners. The keeping of pets has enabled us to develop a wealth of information about their needs giving us the ability to ensure they are met. Animal hobbies also often contribute to broader knowledge and understanding of biology and the natural world.

People need to be properly educated so that their expectations can meet the animal’s needs - i.e. the right pet with the right owner in the right environment. This must be accompanied by ensuring the law to manage illegally traded species is effective and properly enforced.