|
ANIMAL
BOARDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT 1963
HOME
BOARDING (DOGS) – DRAFT STANDARDS
INTRODUCTION
Home boarding is the practice whereby dogs are cared for
in a carer’s home, for financial gain.
The CIEH Model Licence Conditions and Guidance for Dog
Boarding Establishments states (Page 18).
Those operating such services are subject to the
requirements of the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. It should be stressed however that at present
this is a very small part of the boarding market and the application of
some of the conditions contained within this document may be
inappropriate to enforce.
The Working Party recommends that local authorities
license such premises and apply appropriate and relevant conditions to
ensure the prevention of spread of disease between animals and to
ensure the health, safety and welfare of the individual animal being
boarded.
The
CIEH document stated that detailed advice would be provided at a later
stage, but 6 years later no progress appears to have been made.
The
issue of home boarding was discussed at the Lancashire Animal Welfare
Forum. Several local authorities were
aware of home boarding within their districts, and that the practice
appears to be expanding rapidly.
In
order to achieve consistency of enforcement between local authorities,
the Lancashire Animal Welfare Forum agreed to produce a set of
standards for home boarding. These
standards will be submitted to Lancashire Chief Officers for approval,
after which they may be adopted by individual local authorities as
required.
A
great deal of interest in the proposed standards has been expressed by
other local authorities throughout the country who have been helpful in
sharing their experiences, as well as prospective home boarders, a
number of whom are hoping to set up franchises in the North West.
THE DRAFT STANDARDS
1. GENERAL
-
1.1
A copy of the licence and its conditions must be
suitably displayed in a prominent position in, on or about the Premises.
-
1.2
The licence must specify the boundary of the
Premises i.e. all buildings and areas to which boarded dogs have access.
-
1.3
No animals other
than boarded dogs must be permitted in the Premises.
-
1.4
Only dogs from one
household must be boarded at any one time, up to a maximum number
stipulated on the licence, depending on the facilities available at the
individual Premises.
-
1.5
Nuisance must not be caused to neighbours.
-
1.6
No children under 16
years must reside on the Premises.
-
1.7
The local authority must
be satisfied that the licensee is not disqualified from keeping
animals, under any relevant legislation.
2. EXERCISE
FACILITIES
-
2.1
There must be direct access to a suitable
outside area. This outside area must be at
ground floor level and should be for the exclusive use of the Premises.
-
2.2
Dogs must be exercised according to their needs.
-
2.3
Dogs must not be left outdoors in inclement weather
3.MAINTENANCE
4. SECURITY
-
4.1 The
Premises must be adequately secure to prevent the escape of dogs. In
particular, the boundary of the outside area must
be at least 1.8m high and must be secure and safe,including
any openings such as gates.
-
4.2 Dogs must wear
temporary identification at all times bearing the address of the
Premises.
-
4.3
Dogs must be properly secured at all times whilst off the
Premises, and not exercised except on a lead.
-
4.4
Dogs must never be left
unattended off the Premises.
5.
BEDDING
6. CLEANLINESS
-
6.1 The
Premises must be kept clean and free from accumulations of dirt and
dust. Phenol based disinfectants must not
be used.
-
6.2 All
excreta must be removed from all areas used by dogs at least daily and
more often if necessary.
-
6.3 All
waste must be properly stored and disposed of.
-
6.4 Measures
must be taken to minimise the risks from rodents, insects and other
pests within the Premises.
7.
FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES
-
7.1 Dogs
must be adequately supplied with suitable food. Wholesome
water must be available at all times and changed daily.
-
7.2 Eating
and drinking vessels must be capable of being easily cleansed and
disinfected.
-
7.3 Eating
vessels must be cleansed after each meal.
-
7.4 Drinking
vessels must be cleansed at least once a day.
-
7.5 Hot
and cold water must be provided for the washing of food equipment and
eating and drinking vessels.
-
7.6 Adequate
arrangements must be made for the storage and preparation of food.
8. DISEASE
CONTROL AND VACCINATION
-
8.1 Proof must be provided
that dogs boarded have current vaccinations against Canine Distemper,
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Canine adenovirus), Leptospirosis (L. canicola and L. Icterohaemorrhagiae)
and Canine Parvovirus and other relevant diseases.
The course of vaccination must have been
completed at least four weeks before the first date of boarding or in
accordance with manufacturers instructions. A
record that this proof has been supplied must be kept on-site
throughout the period that the dog is boarded.
-
8.2
Advice from a veterinary
surgeon must be sought in case of signs of disease, injury or illness. Where a dog is sick or injured any
instructions for its treatment, which have been given by a veterinary
surgeon, must be strictly followed.
-
8.3 A well stocked first aid
kit suitable for use on dogs must be available and accessible on site.
-
A
suitable range of muzzles of varying sizes must be kept on site.
-
8.4If there is evidence of
external parasites the dog must be treated with a proprietary
insecticide.
-
8.5
If
there is evidence of internal parasites the advice of a veterinary
surgeon must be sought.
-
8.6 Any boarded dog that has
died on the Premises must be referred to a veterinary surgeon and the
licensing officer of the local authority must be informed.
-
8.7
A
veterinary practice must be appointed for the establishment. The name, address and telephone number must be
displayed in a prominent position. The 24
hour telephone contact number of the veterinary surgeon used by the
Premises should be displayed in a suitable place, close to the
telephone.
9. ISOLATION
10. REGISTER
-
Date of arrival.
-
Name of dog, any
identification system such as Microchip number or tattoo.
-
Description, breed, age
and gender of dog.
-
Name, address and
telephone number of owner or keeper.
-
Name, address and
telephone number of contact person whilst boarded.
-
Name and address and
telephone number of dog’s veterinary surgeon.
-
Anticipated and actual date of departure
-
Health, welfare and
nutrition requirements.
11. SUPERVISION
-
11.1 A fit and proper person
must normally be present to exercise supervision and deal with
emergencies whenever dogs are boarded at the Premises.
-
11.2 Dogs must not be left
unattended on the Premises for periods longer than 3 hours.
12. EMERGENCIES
-
12.1 All electrical
installations and appliances must be maintained in a safe condition. There must be a residual current circuit
breaker system fitted.
-
12.2 Heating appliances must
not be sited in a location or manner where they may present a risk of
fire, or risk to dogs. Dogs must not have
direct access to open flame heating devices.
-
12.3 Smoke alarms must be
fitted as appropriate
-
12.4 An all purpose fire
extinguisher must be provided
-
12.5 The licensee must supply
the local authority with details of a keyholder(s) for the Premises in
case of emergency.
|
|