Animal behaviourists

Policy: Animal behaviourists have an important role to play in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural problems.  PAC is concerned that inappropriate advice and treatment can have significant welfare consequences for the animals treated.  However there is no generally accepted standard of competence for behaviourists and PAC considers that the relevant industry groups should agree and implement a common standard.

Background: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 define suffering as both mental and physical so the principle that the mental health of vertebrate animals can lead to suffering is now accepted in law in the UK.  However the treatment of mental health by behaviourists is currently unregulated and PAC considers that mistreatment can lead to serious consequences for both the welfare of the animal, and for the humans with which it is in contact.

PAC is aware that there are a number of organisations that behaviourists may join, some of which regulate the standards of their members.  We consider it important that the organisations should reach a common view of the minimum required competence to be a behaviourist.  We further consider that any agreed standard must be implemented, by legislation if necessary, across all behaviourist practitioners.