Selling animals as pets

4.2 and 4.3

The licence holder must keep a record of their staff’s training.

• records of the courses they are taking
• 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.

5.2

Animals must be kept at all times in an environment suitable to their species and condition (including health status and age) with respect to:

• their behavioural needs
• its situation, space, air quality, cleanliness and temperature

Licence holders must ensure that environmental conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, lighting conditions are carefully controlled at all times. Conditions must be monitored and remain within the appropriate range for the species housed.

A record should be kept of any instances where conditions fall outside of the appropriate ranges, and what corrective actions were taken. Staff must be able to outline the remedial action taken.

• the water quality (where relevant)

For species where water quality forms an integral part of life, or where poor water quality has welfare implications, water quality must be tested and recorded. The frequency of testing must be appropriate to the system, but must be at least weekly. Records must detail any action taken to restore the water to acceptable conditions.

• noise levels
• light levels
• ventilation

6.2

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

Abnormalities in eating and drinking habits must be recorded, reported to the appropriate member of staff and acted upon. Appropriate veterinary advice must be sought if necessary.

9.9

Any prescribed medication given must be prescribed for the individual animal by a vet, and each instance of use must be recorded.

9.12

Where euthanasia is not carried out by or under the direct supervision of a vet, these details must be recorded:

• the reason why the animal was euthanised
• the method used
• the member of staff carrying out the euthanasia

These records must be made available at subsequent inspections. This does not apply to fish.

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 (or in the case of fish, of an appropriately competent person) must be sought and followed.

A system of recording abnormalities must be maintained.

10.1

Written emergency plan

Emergency drills must be regularly practised. Practices must be recorded with any failings noted and addressed in the procedures. Drills must be undertaken at least annually, or as determined by fire risk assessments.

All staff must undergo regular training. Records must be kept of such training. Sufficient nominated staff must be properly trained on the use of equipment provided.

2.1

A register must be maintained for all the animals or, in the case of fish, all the groups of fish, on the premises.

The register where they are kept for sale which must include:

• the full name of the supplier of the animal
• the animal’s sex (where known)
• except in the case of fish, the animal’s age (where known)
• details of any veterinary treatment (where known)
• the date of birth of the animal or, if the animal was acquired by the licence holder, the date of its acquisition
• the date of sale of the animal by the licence holder
• the date of the animal’s death (if applicable)

The register can be a stand-alone dedicated document or can be business records, such as invoices and proof of sales receipts. It must accurately represent acquisitions and sales. This can be a centralised system but must be accessible in store.

Deaths can be recorded as part of daily observational records or as a stand-alone document. Actions taken following any unusual mortality must also be recorded. For fish, deaths should be recorded when mortality exceeds 5% of animals on site, over a 24-hour period.

The register must include details of the supplier of the animals.

The register must be available for inspection by the appropriate authority.

5.1

A pest control procedure must be in place detailing the steps which should be taken in the event a pest problem is identified. This procedure should also detail what steps should be taken to prevent a pest infestation and what checks need to be made in the store and how often. Where a pest problem is identified a control programme must be implemented.

9.3

If the isolation facility is at another location, the licence holder must be able to show that the location is prepared to provide such facilities - for example, a letter from the veterinary 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

Where there is a lack of local veterinary expertise with regard to the species being sold then a competent secondary veterinary practice must provide support to the primary practice.

5.1

The inspector must be shown records of the matings for dogs and cats including:

• the location of mating or fertilisation (including where this may have occurred on other premises)
• the identity of the sire (where known)
• how and where the animals are born, reared and kept until sale

6.0

Suitable diet for dogs

Adult dogs must be fed at least once daily and in accordance with the individual dog’s needs. Dogs must be fed a complete diet appropriate to their age, breed, activity level and stage in the breeding cycle. You must:

• keep a record of the type
• quantity
• frequency of food each dog receives must be kept

6.0

Monitoring dog’s diet

Weekly records of weight and body condition score (BCS) must be kept to ensure the health of puppies and adult dogs and to allow any issues to be tracked.

7.0

Monitoring dog’s behaviour and training

Each adult dog must have a documented daily exercise regime including lead exercise and free running.

7.0

Enrichment for dogs

A documented programme must be available setting out enrichment both inside and outside including grooming, socialisation and play.

7.0

Dog behaviour

A daily socialisation and habituation programme must be documented and implemented.

9.0

Preventative treatment for dogs

Routine and documented treatment must be in place for internal and external parasites (adult dogs and puppies must be wormed and given flea and tick treatment as appropriate).

5.1

The inspector must be shown records of the matings for dogs and cats including:

• the location of mating or fertilisation (including where this may have occurred on other premises)
• the identity of the sire (where known)
• how and where the animals are born, reared and kept until sale

6.0

Monitoring cat’s diet

Monthly records of weight and BCS must be kept to ensure the health of adult cats and to allow any issues to be tracked.

5.0

Light for birds

Species requiring UVB (ultraviolet B) lighting must have appropriate UVB emitting lamps manufactured for use with birds. These must be replaced according to manufacturer’s recommendations, and effective provision must be monitored through the use of a UV (ultraviolet) meter. Evidence to this effect must be demonstrable to inspectors.

5.0

Temperature for reptiles and amphibians

Temperature must be checked daily on initial setup of a vivarium. Once the temperatures are stable, where thermostatically controlled heat sources are used, assessment can be reduced to once per week. Alternatively, an automatic system can be used that monitors temperatures and warns if parameters are outside of an acceptable range.

Records should be kept of instances where parameters fall outside of the appropriate range and what corrective actions were taken. There is no requirement to record ongoing conditions that fall within the appropriate range.

5.0

Temperature for reptiles and amphibians

Any deviations from the expected temperature range must be recorded along with the action taken to ensure the appropriate temperature is provided for the animal.

5.0

Temperature for reptiles and amphibians

Where rack systems or other vivaria are utilised in thermally stable heated rooms, temperature monitoring of one tray per level is acceptable. It must be accompanied by spot checks that demonstrate that the recorded temperatures are representative of the other rack systems in the shared space, and that temperatures are maintained at the correct ranges for the species housed within. During inspection, licence holders must be able to demonstrate that this is the case.

5.0

Light for reptiles and amphibians

Species requiring UVB lighting must have appropriate UVB emitting lamps manufactured for use with reptiles and amphibians. Replacement equipment, parts or bulbs must be fitted according to manufacturer’s recommendations. On installation of a new lamp, a UV meter (preferably a UVI meter) must be used to ensure adequate and appropriate UVB levels are provided at the level the animal is located. Evidence of the frequency of lamp changes and assessment of UVB output on installation must be demonstrable to inspectors.

6.0

Feeding reptiles and amphibians

Licence holders must maintain written records of feeding for all snakes, including hatchlings, which must be made available to buyers and inspectors.

5.0

Temperature for fish

Temperatures must be monitored daily with any deviations from the expected range recorded and the remedial measures being undertaken outlined.

5.0

Water quality for fish

Water quality must be checked weekly and records kept of results for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Water testing must take place in stocked tanks.

5.0

Water quality for fish

Centralised systems must be tested weekly. 10% of individually filtered tanks or vats must be tested weekly. Testing may be via electronic means for relevant parameters. If a visual inspection of aquaria or vats indicates unusual behaviour or deaths, any necessary remedial action must be undertaken and recorded.

6.0

Feeding fish

The feeding behaviour of groups of fish must be recorded if such behaviour changes significantly and appropriate advice obtained from a competent specialist when appropriate.

9.0

Protecting fish from pain, suffering, injury and disease

In the case of fish, it is sufficient to check daily and maintain records limited to observed signs of ill health and disease. Where problems are identified, remedial action must be taken.