Animal Welfare Reform: Turning Promises into Progress

In late 2025, the UK Government published its Animal Welfare Strategy, which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) described as the “biggest set of animal welfare reforms in a generation” (DEFRA, 2025a). The strategy sets out an ambition to improve the welfare of pets, farmed animals, and wildlife across England. While the proposals include some welcome developments, many animal welfare advocates argue that this is not the time to ease pressure on policymakers, particularly given the history of delayed or unfulfilled commitments.

What’s in the UK’s Animal Welfare Strategy?

Published in December 2025, the strategy outlines a programme of reforms intended to be delivered by 2030. Key proposals include:

• Ending cruel practices such as puppy farming and illegal puppy smuggling (DEFRA, 2025a).

• Promoting responsible dog ownership and reforming low-welfare breeding practices (DEFRA, 2025a).

• Consulting on a ban of electric shock collars for dogs, due to welfare concerns associated with their use (Countryfile, 2025).

• Considering new licensing requirements for rescue and rehoming organisations to improve oversight and standards (DEFRA, 2025a).

• Banning certain hunting practices and snare traps, strengthening protections for farm animals, and improving welfare standards in zoos and other animal-related sectors (Countryfile, 2025).

While these measures are encouraging on paper, the government’s approach remains largely consultative rather than decisive, particularly in relation to controversial issues such as electronic training devices (Countryfile, 2025).

The History of Electric Shock Collar Regulation in England

To understand why many advocates remain sceptical, it is essential to examine the full history of electric shock collar regulation in England.

In 2018, the UK Government publicly committed to banning electric shock collars for dogs. A national consultation was held under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the outcome showed clear public and professional support for a ban (DEFRA, 2018).

Following this consultation:

• Draft legislation was developed.

• The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations were prepared.

• Campaigners and stakeholders were repeatedly informed that a ban was imminent.

During this period, a public petition calling for the ban of electric shock collars was rejected by the House of Commons Petitions Committee, on the basis that a ban was already going to become law. However, this assurance proved inaccurate.

The draft regulations were never enacted, and electric shock collars remain legal in England today. This is despite the fact that:

• Wales banned electric shock collars in 2010.

  
  

Now, once again, the UK Government has committed only to consultation rather than decisive legislative action, reinforcing concerns that history may repeat itself.

Why Dog Guardians and Welfare Advocates Are Calling for More

One of the most contested aspects of the current strategy is the continued reliance on consultation regarding electric shock collars. While the government acknowledges evidence that these devices can cause pain, fear, and distress, it has stopped short of committing to an outright ban (Countryfile, 2025).

This is where sustained public pressure becomes essential. Evidence from other countries suggests that mandatory standards and guardian education are significantly more effective at improving animal welfare outcomes than voluntary guidance alone.

Zurich’s Progressive Model: A Case Study in Responsible Dog Ownership

Elsewhere in Europe, a more decisive approach is already being implemented. In Switzerland, electric shock collars are prohibited under national animal welfare legislation, which bans training tools that cause pain, fear, or distress (Swiss Federal Council, 2023).

In addition, from 1 June 2025, the canton of Zurich will introduce mandatory dog guardian education. Under this framework:

• All dog guardians must complete a mandatory practical training course with their dog, consisting of six lessons (Animalcoach Zürich, 2024).

• New guardians — or those who have not owned a dog within the previous ten years — must also complete a theory course with an assessment (Animalcoach Zürich, 2024).

These requirements apply regardless of breed or size and are designed to improve guardian knowledge, canine behaviour, and public safety, while delivering clear animal welfare benefits (Business Companion, 2025).

Zurich’s model reflects principles long advocated by animal welfare organisations, including:

• Improving understanding of canine behaviour, health, and learning theory;

• Preventing behaviour problems before they escalate;

• Reducing the risk of neglect, abandonment, and unsafe interactions.

Switzerland Leads — Can the UK Follow?

Zurich’s approach stands in stark contrast to the UK’s current position. While the UK strategy references responsible ownership, it does not include mandatory education or testing for dog guardians. Instead, it relies on consultations and non-binding guidance.

This raises an important question for animal lovers, guardians, and welfare advocates in the UK:Should similar education-based standards be introduced here?

Mandatory dog guardian education — particularly when grounded in positive reinforcement and welfare-centred practices — has the potential to reduce behavioural issues, strengthen human–animal relationships, and prevent suffering.

Don’t Let Up the Pressure

The UK’s ambition to deliver reforms by 2030 is significant, but ambition alone is insufficient. Ending puppy farming and improving welfare standards are essential goals; however, policy half-measures will not protect animals unless they are supported by enforceable legislation.

To ensure meaningful progress, it is vital to:

• Push for a full, enforceable ban on electric shock collars, rather than further consultation.

• Champion mandatory, welfare-focused dog guardian education, inspired by Zurich’s model.

• Hold lawmakers accountable as reforms move toward implementation.

Animal welfare is not achieved through good intentions alone. It depends on systems, education, and legislation that support lifelong wellbeing for animals.If real protection for dogs in the UK is to be achieved, pressure must remain.

Animals deserve more than promises — they deserve action.

References 

Animalcoach Zürich (2024) Compulsory dog training courses in Zurich from June 2025. Available at: https://www.animalcoach-zh.ch 

Business Companion (2025) Animal welfare strategy for England. Available at: https://www.businesscompanion.info 

Countryfile (2025) UK animal welfare reforms and electronic collar consultation. Available at: https://www.countryfile.com 

DEFRA (2018) Banning the use of electronic training collars for cats and dogs: consultation. London: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

DEFRA (2025a) DEFRA announces biggest animal welfare reforms in a generation. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defra-announces-biggest-animal-welfare-reforms-in-a-generation 

Swiss Federal Council (2023) Animal Protection Ordinance (Tierschutzverordnung). Available at: https://www.blv.admin.ch.