Source: City of Plymouth
A new animal licensing policy looks set to be adopted which will help make things clearer for people who run businesses involving animals, such as dog breeding, boarding of cats and dogs, including day care for dogs, keeping or training animals for exhibition and hiring out horses.
The new policy, which comes into effect on 1 April, outlines our process for issuing an animal activities licence, but sets out clearly that applicants must:
- have no relevant convictions
- have not been disqualified from holding a licence
- have the knowledge, experience, compliance history, and ability to comply with licence rules and safeguard the welfare of animals in their care
- has made suitable management and training arrangements to safeguard and protect any staff and/or members of the public who may be affected by the licensed activity.
As part of this policy, all applicants and licence holders need to submit a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, issued within three months before making an application.
The policy applies to both those looking to start a business and those already running one. For those already running a business, they will need to comply with the new requirements when they renew their licence.
There are 60 licensees in Plymouth:
- selling animals as pets – ten
- cat boarding – four
- commercial day care – one
- dog kennelling – one
- dog breeding – six
- home boarding – 36
- animal exhibition – two
Currently, there is no database to track animal welfare offences and disqualifications related to animals. A DBS check will strengthen the council’s ability to determine whether someone is suitable to hold a licence, operate the business and comply with licence conditions.
There will also be a requirement for applicants to submit a written safeguarding policy and provide training for staff whose activities involve contact with children or vulnerable adults. Applicants and licence holders whose activities involve such contact must introduce a staff vetting procedure.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for licensing, said: “This is about making it absolutely clear what we expect from people who run businesses looking after animals. While the vast majority show the utmost professionalism, we are sadly all too aware of some awful cases where a quick buck trumps the welfare of the animals.
“It’s important that these rules are in place to protect animals from incidents like overbreeding, overcrowding when boarding and from people who aren’t aware of the rules that come with handling animals and the care that comes with it. Getting a licence is the first step if you’re thinking of starting a business which involves animals.”
A person who carries out a licensable activity without a licence commits a criminal offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for up to six months, a fine or both.
If you think someone is unlicensed or have a complaint you can report the issue.