An exhibition focusing on the online sale of pets in Wales has been hosted by Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies. The exhibition, arranged by animal welfare charity Blue Cross, briefed Assembly Members and staff on the dangers of selling pets online and highlighted the number of adverts placed in each constituency in Wales. Mr Davies’ constituency, Preseli Pembrokeshire saw 444 online adverts last year on the leading three classified websites and the Mid and West Wales region saw 7037 adverts.

He said, “I was delighted to welcome Blue Cross to the Senedd and sponsor their exhibition. The event was a great opportunity for Assembly Members to learn about the scale of online pet sales in their constituencies and regions and I’m delighted that so many Assembly Members attended the exhibition and showed their commitment to pet welfare. Blue Cross has produced an excellent report on online sales in Wales highlighting some of the very real concerns that people face buying pets over the internet. I will continue to work with my colleagues to raise this matter with the Welsh Government and look at ways in which we can tackle some of the issues that online trading presents.”