IVC Guide to working with the puppy trade November 2017 v7 FINAL (00000002)

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What does a Dog Breeding licence mean? A Dog Breeding Licence confirms that the premises have been inspected by the local authority and meets basic health and welfare standards, including that the animals have some form of socialisation schedule. The purchaser can therefore be confident that the basic 5 freedoms have been met 1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour 2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area 3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment 4. Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind 5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering The ‘Model License Conditions and guidance for Dog Breeding establishments’ (England only) produced by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health can be found here (ii) BVA Guidance can be found here (iii) We would encourage people dealing with breeders and/or dealers to familiarise themselves with these regulations to understand what level of care to expect from a breeding establishment Pre Existing Relationships with Pet shops/Dealers 3 rd Party definition: -Breeders that only supply to dealers or breeders and do not supply pets directly to the general public We refer to these as third party breeders. Practices should look to take the following steps to try and avoid disputes, unwanted adverse publicity or inadvertent involvement in contravention of pet welfare standards 1) Ensure they have a licence (As a pet shop) Copies of such licences should be held on record 2) Literature/Websites etc. need to be clear on where animals are sourced (i.e. 3 rd Party) this is an area we have found is commonly miscommunicated to potential clients. This is because customers do not generally want to buy puppies that they know have been brought in from other countries or areas. We feel deception may be rife in this area. 3) Practices should not engage with 3 rd party (Original Breeder) assuming they are not already a client. Where animals are sourced by a pet shop or dealer from a 3 rd party it is important that we do not engage in relationships with those 3 rd parties 4) Where practices deal with pet shops or dealers, it should be established that the transportation of the pets to these establishments has been legally compliant and authorised by the necessary authority. The conditions or transportation should be considered to be adequate by the dealer. Practices should gain and retain a copy of this documentation v7 January 2018 2
5) It is a legal requirement that all puppies are microchipped from 8 weeks old and that the first registration is with the person who has bred the puppy. This ensures the customer can trace the puppy and can be confident that they know where and how it has been bred. The dealer should clearly know where the puppy has originated from. It is clear that dealing with dealers and pet shops can be a mine field in terms of ensuring that all regulations and conditions have been met. Whilst this may not be our practices responsibility, it is an emotive area and we have knowledge of adverse publicity being aimed at the dealers and this can be transferred to the practice. This perception by other members of the public is especially of concern where the dealer is large and perceived to be a ‘puppy farm’ though the latter has an unknown definition. Guidance for practices and their relationships with Breeders 1) When does a Breeder need a licence? Currently anyone producing 5 or more litters per establishment per year requires a licence, this is currently being reviewed and is likely to change to 3 or more litters per establishment in 2018 (Decision expected late 2018 and document will be updated accordingly) 2) What advise do we give to a ‘breeder’ who doesn’t have a licence. Practices must recommend to breeders that they become licensed and should not enter into arrangements with a ‘breeder’ who is producing more than the above stated litters per year. As a reminder No Vet and/or practice should enter into activities which are complicit with illegal activity, doing so on a large scale knowingly could lead to criminal proceedings being brought. 3) Build relationships with breeders (Licence holder requirements or not) by: -Introducing/recommending the BVA/RSPCA Puppy information pack and contract, This document and guidance can be found here (iv) -BVA guide to buying puppies -Provide advice on socialisation of puppies whilst still with the breeders – guides are in the puppy information pack and the Dog Breeding Licensing documents -Enhance relationships with breeders through promotion of the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme (In association with IVC) information can be found here (v) *Coming soon* -Encourage adherence with the Kennel club code of ethics. Guidance can be found here (vi) -Production of licence (Where required?) Copy to be held on file and updated as new licence issued. Unfortunately, there are people out there who will present themselves as breeders when they are actually dealers and we need to be aware that we are not inadvertently being complicit in fraudulent selling of dogs. 1) Most of these puppies will have been illegally imported into the UK (from Republic of Ireland and eastern Europe) This trade is rife and driven by the high value of puppies in this country. Illegal dogs will often come in through ports outside of normal working hours when Trading Standards are not there to inspect. They will also come into Southern Ireland and then cross the border into Northern Ireland and enter the country as apparently being from the UK. The microchip, or lack of it is key to recognising these animals. It should be there and it v7 January 2018 3
Page 1: IVC Guide to working with the puppy
Page 5 and 6: What to do if you suspect something

IVC Guide to working with the puppy trade November 2017 v7 FINAL (00000002)

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