Memorandum submitted by the National Association
of Registered Petsitters (NARP)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NARP make this submission as the largest Pet
Care Organisation in the UK. In summary, the proposed New Animal
Welfare Bill, whilst addressing some of the important issues regarding
the welfare of Animals, does not confront the underlining problems
of the Pet Care industry in relation to the Licensing of all those
who offer pet caring services in there many and various forms,
including the definition of and requirements for licensing of
Animal Boarding Establishments. As far as these matters are concerned,
which remain vital to the proper care of domestic Pets, it appears
that the new Bill offers no significant changes or amendments
to the out dated ABE 1963.
Evidence
1. The new Bill has failed to recognise
other forms of domestic Pet Care Services including dog walking,
daily home visits, and small animal and bird care which are as
equally important and as open to abuse as the Boarding of Dogs
and Cats. NARP is the only Regulatory body that offers a Code
of Practice and Terms and Conditions for all Pet Care Services
and hereby seek and request Government support to enable proper
control and regulation of these vital services by further additions
to the terms of the new Animal Welfare Bill. For example, we would
advise the Government to add clauses to the Draft Bill to limit
the number of dogs walked by Dogwalkers who are paid for their
services to a maximum of four dogs by any one walker and such
dogs to be always walked on leads. Evidence shows that most incidences,
particular those resulting in insurance claims, arise from irresponsible
dog walkers who do not adhere to such protective practices.
2. In accordance with para 1. above NARP
request official recognition by the Government as the appropriate
national authority for the purpose of promoting the welfare of
animals kept by man under section 6 (1) of the Draft Bill.
3. NARP request that clauses be added to
the Draft Bill to allow Local Authorities to issue Licences under
the Terms of the ABE 1963 to Boarding Establishments which take
the form of domestic premises on the condition that dogs from
no more than one owner are boarded at the same time. This policy
has already been adopted by various local authorities throughout
the UK but there should be standardisation. In addition, recognition
should be made of the difference between those who operate commercial
boarding kennel businesses and those who offer a home based service
for dogs from only one owner at a time; particularly when licence
charges are considered (we would advise the Licence fee should
be set in proportion to the annual turnover of the business).
Licences should also run annually and be renewable annually from
the day they are issued.
4. It is a major concern of NARP that with
regard to any pet sitting and in particular any dog or cat boarding
service, the major criteria appears to be that the law only applies
to those who receive payment for their services. NARP acknowledges
the step forward shown in the Draft Bill which will make mandatory
the licensing of Animal Sanctuaries but there are clear loopholes
still remaining where a private individual may board dogs in unlicenced
premises without the need for a licence because he or she is not
receiving payment.
5. NARP terms and conditions insist that
members are covered for Third Party/Public Liability Insurance
risks whilst undertaking any pet sitting activities. NARP would
like to see clauses added to the Draft Bill to make it illegal
for anyone to operate a Pet Sitting service without adequate insurance
cover; both for the protection of the Public and for the welfare
of the animals in care.
25 August 2004
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