Catteries

4.3

(Staff training policy) Staff participation can be shown by:

• keeping records of the courses they are taking
• keeping records of written or online learning
• keeping up to date with any research or developments for specific breeds
• annual appraisal documents

Evidence of staff attendance or completion of the training must be provided.

6.2

Feed and (where appropriate) water intake must be monitored, and any problems recorded and addressed.

7.3

The animals’ behaviour and any changes of behaviour must be monitored.

The behaviour of each cat must be monitored each day. Changes in behaviour must be recorded and acted upon if there are signs of:

• suffering
• stress
• fear
• aggression
• anxiety

9.4

All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among the animals and people of infectious diseases, pathogens and parasites.

The business owner must see an up-to-date veterinary vaccination record for all cats.

The cats must have current vaccinations against:

• feline panleukopenia
• feline parvovirus, also known as feline infectious enteritis
• feline respiratory viruses (feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus)

9.6

Sick or injured animals must receive prompt attention from a vet.

When a trained first aider suspects a cat is ill or injured, contact a vet for advice immediately. The business must record any instructions for treatment and seek further advice if there’s ongoing concern.

9.12

The licence holder must keep a record of:

• all euthanasia
• the qualified vet that carried it out

9.14

Any signs of pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour must be recorded and the advice and further advice (if necessary) of a vet must be sought and followed.

Inspectors must be able to access any record and associated checklists.

Presence or absence of faeces and urine must be monitored each day. Any abnormalities must be recorded and acted upon as needed.

Cats staying long-term (over three weeks) must be checked for weight-loss or gain. If there are any concerns, advice must be sought from a vet.

4.1

A register must be kept of all the cats on the premises which must include:

Note: all of the information below must be contained in your client booking form

• the dates of each cat’s arrival and departure
• each cat’s name, age, sex, neuter status and a description of it or its breed
• each cat’s microchip number, where applicable
• the number of any cats from the same household
• a record of which cats (if any) are from the same household
• the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of the owner of each cat and emergency contact details
• in relation to each cat, the name, postal address, telephone number and email address of a local contact in an emergency
• the name and contact details of each cat’s normal vet and details of any insurance relating to the cat
• details of each cat’s relevant medical and behavioural history, including details of any treatment administered against parasites and restrictions on exercise
• details of each cat’s diet and related requirements
• any required consent forms (see table below)
• a record of the date or dates of each cat’s most recent vaccination, worming and flea treatments
• details of any medical treatment each cat is receiving

6.1

Dietary requirements that are agreed with the owner must be followed. If there are concerns about an individual cat’s diet, veterinary advice must be sought.

8.2

If cats from the same household share a unit, the owner must have given written consent.

8.2

Consent from the owner must include authority to separate cats, if there are any problems.

9.4

If there is evidence of external parasites, such as fleas, ticks or lice, the cat must be treated with a product authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The product must be licensed for use in the UK.

Treatment must only happen after either:

• having a consultation with a vet, using the product as directed
• getting written consent from the owner or nominated person to treat the cat

9.7

Any preventative treatment must be given with the written consent of the owner and under the direction of the vet.

9.8

When cats are boarding, the licence holder must get written consent from the cat’s owner to state which vet will be used.

9.12

Euthanasia must not take place until the owner or nominated person gives consent - unless it is crucial for the welfare of the cat.

2.8

A cat must not be left without bedding, unless instructed otherwise by the cat’s owner.

9.3

Appropriate isolation, in separate self-contained facilities, must be available for the care of sick, injured or potentially infectious animals.

The business must have a facility to isolate any cat that is:

• injured
• sick
• infectious or carrying a serious infectious disease

If the isolation facility is at another location, such as a local veterinary practice, the licence holder must be able to show evidence that it’s ready to use (for example, a letter from the practice).

9.8

The licence holder must register with a vet with an appropriate level of experience in the health and welfare requirements of any animals specified in the licence and the contact details of that vet must be readily available to all staff on the premises used for the licensable activity.

The vet’s details must be displayed where they can be easily seen by all staff members.

This must include:

• name
• address
• telephone number
• out of hours telephone number

The veterinary practice must be within a reasonable travel distance.

5.4

A preventative healthcare plan agreed with the vet with whom the licence holder has registered with