The Council will exercise its legal enforcement and other powers in relation to the following:
1) The Council recognises that many domestic animals can suffer neglect and cruelty and that it is right that measures be taken to protect them in such circumstances.
2) The Council considers that a pet should only be purchased once the prospective purchaser has the necessary equipment, facilities, time and financial means or the level of interest and expertise necessary for the proper keeping of the animal and understands the responsibilities entailed by ownership of the pet. It is clear that some homes are unsuitable for the keeping of certain pets. Some personal circumstances could mean that adequate provision for pets is difficult if not impossible.
3) The Council will encourage owners to ensure that their pets have sufficient space to avoid distress or suffering. Particular attention will be drawn to the inadequate standards for cages, which appear to be commonly accepted for many birds and small mammals e.g. canaries and budgerigars, rabbits and guinea pigs, etc.
4) In encouraging responsible pet ownership the Council believes leaving animals unattended at home during the day should be discouraged. Long periods in motor vehicles, especially in hot weather, should not occur.
5) The Council will adopt a plan for helping older people who are pet owners and, working with local animal shelters and re-homing charities, a strategy for dealing with companion animals if their owners pass away.
6) The Council will particularly encourage and support the re-homing of rescued animals from recognised societies and establishments. The Council will support responsible pet ownership activities and re-homing schemes of local animal welfare charities by publicising their work in Council venues and Council publications and ensure reception staff have up-to-date details about re-homing and subsidised veterinary services for any residents who need help advice or wish to re-home or obtain a pet.
7) The display of puppies, kittens and exotic animals in pet shops can lead to impulse buying without proper thought for the future well-being of the pet.
The Council considers that the sale of any animal to a person under the age of sixteen years should be made illegal.
9) The Council will devise specific licences for each individual shop listing the specific species that may be sold and the numbers held in stock. Any pet shop would then only be licensed to sell those species whose welfare could be assured in the shop. This would ensure the shop staff have the necessary knowledge and facilities to be able to provide animals with the appropriate specialist captive environment and care.
10) The Council will impose at least one annual veterinary inspection, by a suitably qualified and experienced person, for each shop. This should be in addition to spot-checks by an environmental health officer or animal welfare officer. Where pet shops are selling exotic species, the person carrying out the inspection should be experienced in the care of exotic species.
11) On application forms for new pet shop licences, applicants should be asked to provide details of any existing prosecutions for cruelty or neglect of animals. They should also state whether they have had a pet shop licence refused on a previous occasion.
12) The Council will encourage pet shops to provide suitable care and welfare information to prospective owners about the animal they are purchasing.
13) The Council will urge pet shops to employ suitably-qualified staff (to NVQ or BTEC levels), provide suitable training for all staff in animal welfare issues and only employ staff who can demonstrate acceptable levels of animal husbandry experience.
14) The Council supports the humane training of animals by the Police, other public protection agencies and for those who help the disabled.
15) The Council does not approve of the breeding of animals for producing changes in bodily form, and/or function, which are detrimental to their health or quality of life.
16) This Council is opposed to pet fairs. The Council will refuse to issue licences for one-off sales of animals including exotic animals or for so-called exotics fairs and ensure that, where possible, any such events do not take place.
17) Working with other relevant agencies and animal welfare organizations, the Council will provide secure facilities for pets owned by people or families requiring temporary accommodation in safe housing. Women, in particular, are all too frequently the victims of domestic violence. Sometimes the victims will not seek refuge for fear of leaving the family pet behind.
