Regulation

New trading standard guides launched to help OATA members

OATA has joined forces with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards team to provide new support and advice guidance for its members. Three new guides have been produced for OATA members covering electrical goods, product safety and fair trading to help businesses show they are complying with the law and have…

Read More »

Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria introduces ‘compulsory inspections’

The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria (APPCC) is to introduce “compulsory, independent inspections” for its members. Announced during the APPCC’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the historic Shrigley Hall Hotel near Macclesfield, it is said that the new regulation will cost the association £14,000. Prior to the new legislation…

Read More »

Select committee finds dangerous dogs legislation ‘fails to protect the public’

A new report by Defra has called for a full-scale review of current dog control legislation and policy after the commons select committee found it “fails to protect the public”. The inquiry was launched to investigate Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and wider dog control, amid concerns that the current approach…

Read More »

Kennel Club welcomes Scottish government’s ban on shock training devices

The Kennel Club has welcomed the Scottish government’s ban on shock training devices following its event at the Scottish parliament last December where it called for a ban on the devices. Strict guidance has been published by the Scottish government which provides advice on training methods and training aids for…

Read More »

Defra updates guidance on Animal Activities Licensing regulations

Defra has re-issued the guidance documents for the new Animal Activities Licensing Regulations, which came into force on 1 October 2018. Following feedback provided by the Pet Industry Federation (PIF), in collaboration with the Corporation of London, the new guidance has been amended versions to address some of the points…

Read More »

PIF unveils package of licensing support for its members

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has announced a licensing support package for its members to help them comply with the requirements of the new Animal Activities Licensing (AAL) regulations, which come into force on 1 October 2018. The new regulations address the changes in pet owner attitudes and lifestyles and…

Read More »

Pet theft reform petition delivered to 10 Downing Street

The petition to ‘Reclassify the theft of a pet to a specific crime in its own right’ which gained 107,353 signatures and was debated in Parliament on 2 July 2018 was delivered to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 10 September. The creator of the petition, Dr Daniel Allen, animal geographer…

Read More »

Animal cruelty sentences increase to five years in prison

New government plans will bring England’s maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty in line with Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. The maximum sentence will now stand as five years. Courts can also issue an unlimited fine and ban offenders from keeping animals in future. The new legislation will only be…

Read More »

RCVS launches new website

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has today launched a redesign of its website, www.rcvs.org.uk, with a key focus on improving user experience to help people find what they want, faster. The redesign includes a complete overhaul of the layout, structure and navigation of the College’s whole family of sites:…

Read More »

‘Primates can be bought as easily as goldfish’, claims Monkey World

Monkey World is asking for change for the UK pet trade and the legal sale of primates, . The plight of pet monkeys in the UK following last year’s petition demanding “Welfare for Wildlife”, was discussed in Parliament yesterday. This was handed into Downing St. by Monkey World director Dr Alison Cronin, MP Richard…

Read More »