Northern Ireland has its own animal welfare and disease-control framework, separate from the Republic of Ireland’s DAFM system – the two should never be confused or mixed together. Here’s a plain-English summary based on the official guidance published by The Aviary Hub.
Core rules that apply today
Under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 2011, anyone responsible for an animal must meet general welfare duties. Sellers keeping birds outdoors – poultry, waterfowl, aviary birds and similar – must register with DAERA’s Bird Register, regardless of flock size (indoor pet birds kept in the owner’s home are exempt). This is a disease-control and biosecurity registration, and it is a completely different system from the Republic of Ireland’s DAFM pet-seller scheme.
A pet shop licence is required where premises are kept primarily for selling pets as a pet shop – this is checked with the relevant local council. Under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, live wild-caught birds must not be sold in NI – birds must be captive-bred, and the seller remains responsible for lawful origin. Some parrots, birds of prey and other species also require correct CITES / wildlife trade documentation before sale or transfer.
What’s changing soon
DAERA has announced next steps toward new rules for selling or supplying puppies and kittens under six months old, including local-council registration and a ban on third-party sales – similar in spirit to “Lucy’s Law” in Great Britain. This legislation is anticipated around autumn 2026. Dogs are not a permitted category on The Aviary Hub, so this mainly matters for NI sellers of kittens, who should watch for council registration and advertising conditions once the law takes effect.
What a compliant NI advert should include
Guidance aligned with Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) standards, which DAERA has endorsed for online pet adverts, recommends including: the animal’s age (except fish) – never advertised before weaning/independence from parents; country of origin; region of residence (Northern Ireland, plus county where possible); seller type (private, licensed/commercial, or rescue/rehoming); species and breed; sex for mammals where known; a recent, real photograph of the actual animal being advertised; and any applicable licence or registration.
What this does not mean
A platform allowing an advert to be published does not confirm the seller is compliant with any of the above – The Aviary Hub does not grant licences or registrations. If you’re a buyer and want reassurance, it’s entirely reasonable to ask a seller directly about their registration status.
Source and further reading
This article summarises the official guidance on The Aviary Hub’s Northern Ireland Sellers page – always check that page directly for the current, complete detail, since requirements can change.
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