PAC says: Creature comforts - setting standards in animal care.

The forces which drove the current changes in quarantine legislation were shaped to some extent by the poor care which cats and dogs received within certain quarantine establishments. While the new Pet Travel Scheme will allow free access from some countries, the presence of rabies in others will mean that quarantine establishments will still have to exist. This again raises the question of standards of care within those establishments and DEFRA is currently working on a welfare document that is to be circulated to welfare organisations in the near future to implement the Animal Health (Amdendment) Act 1998.

The animal welfare world is also taking a long hard look at just these areas in terms of rescue organisations and the standards of care provided there. Indeed, under the EU Convention on Pet Animals, all animal sanctuaries should be subject to inspections. The Companion Animal Welfare Council (CAWC) also has welfare standards at the top of its agenda and has been talking to other welfare organisations to take this forward.

Quarantine is merely long-term boarding with the obvious added precautions and checks, however, the principles of animal welfare are the same – correct construction and management are the basis for good care and health. Cats and dogs in rescue organisations face similar stresses/disease risks etc, need the same space for sleeping/exercise and require the same standards of care as those in quarantine and boarding establishments.

Yet another area where animals are kept in confinement is boarding, and The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s model License Conditions and Guidance for Dog and Cat Boarding Establishments provides a guide for standards and care in this area.

Surely it is time to look at all of these areas in conjunction with the relevant organisations and bring them together in one document which outlines the agreed needs of a dog or cat in confinement. Much of the work has already been done and the information is available – it needs a coordinated approach from both the animal welfare organisations and the Government to produce a comprehensive and respected guide. The Pet Advisory Committee is looking at all of these areas and is pressing the Government to adopt the CIEH guidelines on boarding establishments as well as define animal sanctuaries within the law.