Pet Vending

1.) PAC considers that a system of pet vending licensing be established that ensures a single standard is uniformly applied.

2. PAC considers the government should introduce a Regulation to replace the Pet Animal Act 1951. PAC considers that until the new Regulations are in place that the Local Government Association (LGA) “The Pet Animals Act 1951-Model Standards for pet shop licence conditions” (1998) should be implemented by local authorities.

3. Inspectors should be demonstrably competent, well trained and impartial to ensure the welfare of the pets.

Background: All persons selling pet animals commercially are required to be licensed by the local authority by the Pet Animal Act 1951.The Act enables local authorities to place conditions on the licence. There are National Guidelines in the LGA’s “The Pet Animals Act 1951-Model Standards for pet shop licence conditions” (1998) produced by a working group from the LGA, the British Veterinary Association, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Ornamental aquatic Trade association and the Pet Care Trust.

When the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) 2006 acts were introduced it intended that the Pet Animal Act 1951 be repealed and replaced by Regulations.

PAC recognises that other legislation currently in place applies to the commercial sale of pets to the public. For instance the Sales of Goods Act applies to the sales of pets and thus it is an existing legal requirement that animals sold as pets are as described of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. However the primary intent of these pieces of legislation is not the protection of animal welfare.

PAC recognises the competence of those selling pets might be demonstrated by a mix of experience (which may be the only requirement for people who have worked in businesses, stocking animals before 1998, since they were established  ) or by recognised qualifications for those persons or businesses either entering the trade or opening since 1998.