How Did We Get To This Point ?
To explain what is happening now we need to look at the history of animal welfare reform:
Commercial animal boarding establishments have long had a clear framework to work within. The Animal Boarding Establishments Act was introduced in 1963 and set out the legal obligations that all boarding businesses would need to follow.
Fast forward 32 years and a much needed update to regulations was introduced…The CIEH Model Licence Conditions for Boarding Catteries and Kennels. Introduced in 1995. Of which we (Pedigree Pens Ltd.) were original sponsors.
It was the first clear attempt to harmonize guidance and standards across the UK and it was the standard by which all local authorities in England used to licence new catteries and kennels. The CIEH Model Licence was not, however a legal document, but was intended to help guide Local Authority’s on best practice and give them a framework for which they were to approve licenses. As there was no legal requirement to adhere to the guidance many local authorities differed in their approach to issuing licences. Some followed the guidance to the letter where as others used it much more loosely.
It is only recently that we have seen the guidance, first set out in the CIEH Model Licence Conditions, expanded upon and brought into law. This came about in 2018 with the introduction of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 – Guidance notes for conditions for providing boarding (for cats / dogs)
The new guidance from DEFRA, which replaced the Model Licence, became not only guidance but a legal requirement for boarding establishments.
Since the introduction of the guidance from DEFRA this has prompted many rescue charities and organisations (that had outdated standards or did not have standards in place) to adopt similar criteria.
The Cats Protection, Blue Cross and RSPCA have had their own set of guidance (that new rescue facilities must adhere to) in place for many years and a lot of independent charities are members of The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), which has always looked to improve the welfare of animals. As of December 2020 the ADCH issued it’s members with new guidance in the form of it’s ‘Minimum Welfare & Operational Standards’. A copy of which can be downloaded here: Minimum Operational Welfare Standards.
Given the recent introduction of tighter regulations, higher standards for boarding establishments and the large number of rescue / rehoming charities that already adhere to strict standards it is no surprise that momentum is gaining for there to be a legal framework and tighter regulations of ALL rescue and rehoming charities.
DEFRA (in their own words) have already set out their intentions to: “pursue the licensing of animal sanctuaries, rescue and rehoming centres including for cats, dogs and horses.” It is therefore only a matter of time before legislation is introduced.
If you haven’t done so already, then now is the time to start planning.
