Bill Would Expand Licensing of U.K. Kennels
The Animal Welfare Bill now under consideration in the United
Kingdom would pave the way for legislation to license the home
boarding of dogs, according to a spokesperson for the Department
of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Speaking at a Pet Care Trust seminar in November, spokesperson
Graham Thurlow said DEFRA wants to extend the licensing period
for boarding kennels and catteries—including home-based
kennels—for up to three years and conduct risk-based
inspections.
A major provision of the bill calls for codes of practice
to be developed.
DEFRA expects the bill to be enacted by October 2006.
Janet Nunn, chief executive of The Pet Care Trust (Bedfordshire,
United Kingdom), said she was disappointed that DEFRA had
ignored her group’s concerns about health hazards associated
with commercial home boarding.
The Trust remains opposed to commercial home boarding of
dogs on the grounds that such facilities cannot offer an appropriate
standard of animal care.
In addition, the Trust wants minimum competency standards,
based on experience or qualification, to be applied to the
boarding sector, just as they are to pet retailing. [February
2006 PET AGE]
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