Memorandum submitted by Cats Protection
Having been involved in the previous consultation
Cats Protection is very pleased with the proposals set out in
the draft Bill and is involved in the preparation of a draft Code
of Practice.
As I see it, the Bill represents an enabling
measure, setting out certain fundamental principles and approval
of codes of practice and it is anticipated that within 5 years
of the Act coming into force, regulations and codes of practice
will be introduced and enforced by local authorities. Dog and
cat boarding establishments are already subject to statutory controls
and, as I understand it, Clause 6 of the draft Bill will enable
the appropriate national authority, by regulations, to make provision
for, amongst other things, licensing in relation to specified
activities involving animals. I imagine that this will cover the
conditions in which animals are kept but wonder whether any licensing
regime will extend to facilities provided by charities. As I say,
Cats Protection is involved in the preparation of a draft Code
of Conduct and no doubt this will influence any regulations concerning
licensing.
Otherwise, we, along with other animal welfare
charities, strongly support this proposed Bill. Our chief concern
is that it gets into the Queen's Speech in November.
23 August 2004
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