If you’re buying (or selling) pets in the Republic of Ireland, you may come across references to “DAFM registration” or a seller’s registration number. Here’s what that actually means, based on the official guidance published by The Aviary Hub.
Who might need to register
Under S.I. No. 681 of 2019, anyone who sells or supplies six or more pet animals in a calendar year may need to register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Importantly, “supply” includes giving an animal away for free – rehoming counts toward this threshold the same as a paid sale.
What registration involves
Official DAFM registration is free and generally needs to be renewed annually. Premises used in connection with the sale or supply of animals may also need to be listed on the Register of Premises, and registered sellers are generally expected to keep certain records for at least three years.
What a compliant advert should include
Under Irish advertising rules for pet animals, adverts should generally include the age of the animal, its country of origin, and – where the seller is required to be registered – their DAFM registration number.
What this does NOT mean
A platform allowing an advert to be published does not confirm that the seller is DAFM-compliant, and DAFM registration itself is not a welfare or quality certification – it’s a legal record-keeping requirement. If you’re a buyer and want reassurance, it’s entirely reasonable to ask a seller directly whether the threshold applies to them and whether they’re registered.
Northern Ireland is different
These rules apply to the Republic of Ireland only. Northern Ireland operates under separate legislation, and the two should never be assumed to be the same.
Source and further reading
This article summarises the official guidance published on The Aviary Hub’s DAFM Information page – always check that page (or the official DAFM guidance directly) for the current, complete detail rather than relying on a summary alone.
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