Pet Shop Licence Conditions
Legislation and Guidance
Pet Animals Act 1951
Pet Animals (Amendment) Act 1983
1.0 LICENCE DISPLAY
1.1 The licence, or a copy of the licence, must be suitably
displayed in a prominent position. It shall not display the licence
holder's home address.
2.0 Accommodation
2.1 Animals must at all times be kept in accommodation suitable
to their species with respect to construction, size, temperature,
lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
2.2 Animals must be kept in an environment suitable to the
species. They must not be exposed to draughts and wide temperature
fluctuations. If animals are displayed outdoors, they shall have
protection appropriate to their species.
2.3 All accommodation must be kept in good repair.
2.4 Housing must be constructed of non-porous materials or be
appropriately treated.
2.5 In order to control the spread of disease and to prevent
injury, animals must not be kept in housing in such a way that they
can be disturbed by other animals or the public.
2.6 All livestock, for sale, must be readily accessible and easy
to inspect, with cages sited so that the floor of the cage is
easily visible.
2.7 Accommodation must be cleaned as often as necessary to
maintain good hygiene standards.
2.8 Where accommodation is on a tiered system, water, food or
other droppings must not be allowed to enter the lower housing.
2.9 All accessories provided in the accommodation must be
suitable for the species.
3.0 Exercise Facilities
3.1 Suitable and sufficient facilities must be available where
appropriate for the species. For puppies, where required, a covered
exercise area of at least 2.46m² should be provided. The area
should have a minimum height of 1.8m to allow access by staff for
cleaning.
4.0 Register of Animals
4.1 A livestock purchase register must be maintained to
determine the source of livestock. All livestock purchases must be
entered and the entry must include:-
(i) the name and address of the person or organisation who
supplied the livestock.
(ii) details of the type and numbers of livestock.
(iii) the date of delivery to the premises.
To simplify the livestock purchase register, entries may be
cross referenced to a general invoice file for the premises, if the
invoice contains the above information.
4.2 A sales register must be maintained for:
(i) Puppies
(ii) Kittens
(iii) Psittacines (parrots and parakeets)
(iv) Species contained in the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild
Animals Act 1976 (as modified)
The purpose of the sales register is to enable the purchaser to
be contacted in the event of an emergency, for example if the
animal is suspected of being diseased. The name and address and
telephone number of the purchaser should be recorded.
5.0 Stocking Numbers and Densities
5.1 The maximum numbers of animals to be stocked on the premises
will be determined by the accommodation available. These are
defined by the stocking density lists for caged birds, small
mammals and ornamental fish and other species which are detailed in
the tables at the end of these licence conditions.
No other animals other than those specified in the licence, may
be stocked without prior written approval from the licensing
authority.
6.0 Health, Disease and Acclimatisation
6.1 All stock for sale must be in good health and free from
obvious parasitic infestation as far as can be reasonably
determined without veterinary inspection.
6.2 Any sick or injured animal must receive appropriate care and
treatment without delay Inexperienced staff must not treat sick
animals unless under appropriately experienced supervision. 'Care
& Treatment' may include euthanasia but under no circumstances
may an animal be euthanased other than in a humane and effective
manner. In case of doubt, veterinary advice must be sought.
6.3 All animals must receive appropriate inoculations where
required for the species as advised by the veterinary surgeon.
Veterinary advice must be sought whenever necessary.
6.4 Any animal with an obvious, significant abnormality which
would materially affect its quality of life, must not be offered
for sale. When in doubt, veterinary advice should be sought.
6.5 All animals must be allowed a suitable acclimatisation
period before sale.
6.6 The facility to isolate sick animals must be provided. A
procedure to deal with sick animals is required. For ornamental
fish, in-line treatment or other sterilising devices effectively
provide a means of isolating individual tanks in multiple tank
systems. They must be of proper size and maintained in accordance
with manufacturer's recommendations.
6.7 All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent the
outbreak and spread of disease. No animal which is suffering from
or could reasonably be suspected of having come into contact with
any other animal suffering from any infectious or contagious
disease, or which is infested with parasites, shall be brought into
or kept on the premises unless effectively isolated.
6.8 Individual litters of puppies and kittens must be kept
separate from other litters.
6.9 All necessary precautions must be taken to prevent the
introduction to the premises, and harbourage of rodents, insects
and other pests (excluding livestock for sale or for feeding).
7.0 Food and Drink
7.1 Animals must be supplied with adequate amounts of food and
drink, appropriate to their needs, and at suitable intervals.
7.2 All food must be suitable for the species concerned.
7.3 Food and drink receptacles must be constructed and
positioned to minimise faecal contamination and spillage.
7.4 A sufficient number of receptacles must be provided and
cleaned at regular intervals.
7.5 All food (excluding live foods) intended for feeding to
livestock on the premises, must be stored in impervious closed
containers.
7.6 The containers and equipment used for feeding must be kept
in a clean and sound condition.
8.0 Observation
8.1 All livestock must be attended to at regular intervals,
appropriate to the species. In no circumstances should this be less
than daily. Suitable arrangements must be made for days when the
premises is closed. It is recommended that a system of recording
visits is maintained.
9.0 Excreta and Soiled Bedding
9.1 All excreta and soiled bedding must be kept in a hygienic
manner and stored in impervious containers with close fitting lids
away from direct sunlight.
9.2 Excreta and soiled bedding must be removed from the premises
on a regular basis, at least weekly, and disposed of to the
satisfaction of the appropriate local authority.
9.3 All containers must be kept in a clean condition.
10.0 Transportation
10.1 When receiving stock, the licensee must make every effort
to ensure that it is transported in a suitable manner. It is
recommended to record the registration number of vehicles
transporting livestock.
10.2 Any livestock received or consigned shall be transported
according to regulations laid down in current legislation, such as
the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.
10.3 Livestock must be transported or handed to purchasers in
suitable containers.
11.0 Sale of Livestock
11.1 No mammal shall be sold unweaned or, if weaned, at an age
at which it should not have been weaned.
11.2 In the case of non-mammals, they must be capable of feeding
themselves.
11.3 No animal shall be sold to any person under the age of 12
years.
11.4 No animal should be sold to any person under the age of 16
years who is unknown to the retailer unless that person is
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or provides appropriate
written consent. Sales to a juvenile less than 16 years (but over
12 years) of age who is known to the retailer can be carried out in
the absence of a parent or legal guardian or appropriate written
consent, provided that the retailer is satisfied as far as possible
that:-
(i) the parent/guardian would not object to the
acquisition;
(ii) the juvenile is sufficiently knowledgeable as to the needs,
care and nature of the species acquired;
12.0 Dangerous Wild Animals
12.1 When dangerous animals are kept, the cages must be of a
secure construction appropriate to the species. A fine wire mesh,
glass or plastic safety barrier must be incorporated into the cage
system.
The local authority must be notified of any intention that the
pet shop wishes to offer for sale any dangerous wild animal.
12.2 Licensees selling animals on the Schedule to the Dangerous
Wild Animals Act must inspect the purchaser's licence to keep such
an animal and inform the issuing authority of the details of the
purchase.
13.0 Pet Care Advice
13.1 Pet Care leaflets (e.g. leaflets produced by the Pet Care
Trust) or other similar written instructions must be made available
free of charge to customers at the time of purchase, in addition to
any offer to purchase pet care books or leaflets.
13.2 Purchasers must be given proper advice on the care of the
animal and, where necessary, on the maintenance and use of any
accessories.
13.3 Appropriate reference books (e.g. The Pet Care Manual
produced by the Pet Care Trust) relating to all species for sale
must always be available at the premises for use by staff.
14.0 Staff Training
14.1 No animal should be stocked or sold unless the staff (or a
member of the staff) is familiar with the care and welfare of that
animal and has a recognised qualification or suitable
experience.
14.2 In respect of new applications (not renewals), at least one
member of staff working at the licensed premises must hold the City
and Guilds Pet Store Management Certificate, or some other
appropriate qualification; or must be in the course of training and
obtain the qualification within two years of the licence being
granted.
14.3 The licensee must formulate a written training policy for
all permanent staff, and demonstrate that systematic training is
carried out.
15.0 Fire and other Emergency Precautions
15.1 Suitable emergency precautions and written procedures shall
exist and be made known to all staff, including arrangements for
evacuation of livestock.
15.2 Entrances and exits must be clear of obstructions at all
times.
15.3 Suitable fire fighting equipment must be provided,
maintained and regularly serviced by a competent person and sited
as advised by the local Fire Protection/Prevention Officer and in
consultation with the local authority.
15.4 The licensee, or a designated key-holder, must at all times
be within reasonable distance of the premises and available to
visit the premises is case of emergency. (Reasonable distance can
be considered as 20 minutes travelling time).
15.5 A list of key-holders must be lodged with the Environmental
Health Department at Allerdale Borough Council.
15.6 An emergency telephone number must be displayed at the
front of the shop this may either be the key-holder's number or the
emergency telephone number 999.
15.7 When pet shops are sited within other premises, the
licensee or key-holders must have access at all times to the
premises containing the livestock.
15.8 All electrical installations and
appliances must be maintained in a safe condition.
16.0 Premises
16.1 Walls and floors must be finished with a non-absorbent
surface so that they can be easily cleaned.
16.2 A sink with a constant supply of hot water must be
provided. This must be in addition to any wash hand basin.
Procedures must be in place to keep equipment provided for human
use stored and cleaned entirely separately from livestock
equipment.
17.0 Boarding of Animals
17.1 No pet shop should be used for the purpose of boarding any
species of animal for which they are not licensed to sell. If it is
intended to board cats and dogs, suitable and sufficient
accommodation must be provided and the appropriate licence
obtained.
18.0 Licence Variation
18.1 Once the annual licence has been granted, if the licensee
wishes to stock species of animals not detailed on the licence,
they must inform the Environmental Health Department and receive
approval for the variation.