Cheltenham Borough Council is updating the conditions for animal welfare licences for pet venders (pet shops), here dog breeders and animal boarding establishments in Cheltenham.
In order to do this an eight week public consultation is taking place from tomorrow to seek the views on the changes from the general public.
The new conditions will bring the council up-to-date with current guidance. The existing conditions are the original ones and may date back to the Pet Animals Act 1951 and the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. Much guidance has been issued since these enactments and many local authorities have updated their standard conditions. If adopted the new conditions would come into force for the 2016 licences.
The key changes will be more prescriptive guidance around the requirements of running the various animal establishments. All the proposed conditions are more extensive than the current conditions in place and aim to protect the welfare of the animals and reduce the risks of spreading disease.
Sadie Hawson, senior environmental health officer, said: “It’s important we update the conditions for animal welfare licences to bring them in line with current guidance. We will send the consultation to current licenced establishments, vets within the borough, local animal charities as well as national animal charities with a local interest to get a broad opinion on the changes. Constructive feedback is important to us and will influence the cabinet report for the adoption of the conditions. Licence conditions need to be useable and affective.”
Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, added: “The council is responsible for the licensing and inspection of animal boarding businesses, pet shops, and dog breeding in the borough. Anyone involved in any of these activities needs a licence.
“The licence we issue can have a number of conditions. We add these conditions with the aim of ensuring high standards of animal care, and health and safety. Therefore it’s important these standard conditions are up to date.”
The consultation will run for eight weeks from Friday 14 August to Friday 9 October. The survey is available from tomorrow on the council’s website (www.cheltenham.gov.uk/consultations) or hard copies can be found in the Municipal Offices reception.
Following the consultation the animal welfare licencing conditions will go to cabinet on 10November 2015 for approval.