Companion Animal Industry PDF

T H E C O M PA N I O N ANIMAL INDUSTRY GEORGINA CATLOW BVSC MRCVS LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the Companion Animal Industry in the UK including sources, uses and destinations of typical species Discuss companion animal population issues with reference to the animal ch...

T H E C O M PA N I O N ANIMAL INDUSTRY GEORGINA CATLOW BVSC MRCVS LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the Companion Animal Industry in the UK including sources, uses and destinations of typical species Discuss companion animal population issues with reference to the animal charity industry Briefly outline legislation that pertains to companion animals T H E C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L I N D U S T R Y Dogs, cats, small animals/exotics, other species (not including equids) All activities pertaining to these species – food, medicines/healthcare, accessories, pet sitting/boarding Broad and diverse and estimated to be worth £7 billion (according to study by research company Mintel) TOP 10 PETS (ACCORDING TO UK PET FOOD) S O U R C E S O F C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L S A family friend would like to get a cat and asks you for advice as to where to go to get one What are their options? S O U R C E S O F C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L S Friend or neighbour Casual Down the pub Acquisition Stray Theft (deliberate or not) Shelters Breed rescue Adoption International rescue/adoption Veterinary rehoming Breeder - KC/CFA Purchased Online - Gumtree, Preloved, Facebook etc… Retailer - Pet Shop or Garden centre S O U R C E S O F C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L S S O U R C E S O F C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L S Increasing number of pets from abroad (esp. dogs) Some have no/very little health and behavioural assessment Concerns re. biosecurity – animal and human health Knock-on effect to rehoming of UK dogs https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/bva-renews-concern-at-trojan-rescue-dogs-after-b-canis-cases/ Illegal pet trade Puppy farms – multiple breeds offered at same establishment, no parent dogs seen, poor health Vigilance urged after Babesia confirmed in untravelled dog | Vet Times Vets as educators Some owners may be impulsive, but some will seek your advice Encourage research into where pets come from Inform owners re costs/commitment Signpost to reliable sources http://pawposerescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/puppy-farm-1.jpg C H O O S I N G A C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L Owners often go on looks alone Need to consider time available, accommodation, finances, breed suitability … and welfare! This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by is licensed under CC BY-SA  C H O O S I N G A C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L Intensive breeding has detrimentally altered many breeds The media may contribute to the glamorisation of certain breeds e.g. Pugs, French bulldogs, Scottish Folds We need to educate clients and the public about welfare concerns https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/new-call-to-axe-extreme-dog-feature-advertising/ C H O O S I N G A C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L Responsibility for promoting health and welfare of pedigree breeds should also lie with: The Kennel Club UK largest canine organisation for protecting and promoting health and welfare of dogs Voluntary registers for pedigree dogs, crossbreed dogs Offers advice to dog owners and those working with dogs with regards to purchasing, canine health, training and breeding Organises show and other events The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) Main registration body for cats in UK Offers advice and info. to breeders and prospective owners of pedigree cats Organises shows and other events ONLINE RESOURCES International Cat Care - https://icatcare.org Pet Advertising Advisory Group - https://paag.org.uk/about-paag/ The Puppy Contract - https://puppycontract.org.uk/ The Kennel Club - https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy - https://www.gccfcats.org/ The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/choosing-a-pet The RSPCA - https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare The Dogs Trust - https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/getting-dog The Cats Protection League - https://www.cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat/choosing-a-cat 12  W H Y D O W E H AV E P E T S ? Companionship Improve mental health Exercise Hobbies e.g., agility, shooting, showing, flyball https://www.waltham.com/sites/g/files/jydpyr1046/files/2020-05/pets-against-loneliness.jpg This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 13  W H Y D O W E H AV E P E T S ? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/17/dogs-have-a-magic-effect-the-power-of-pets-on-our-mental-health  W O R K I N G C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L S Assistance dogs (e.g., guide-dogs for blind, hearing-dogs for deaf) Sheep-dogs Farm cats Forces – police and army dogs Search and rescue dogs Guard dogs Racing dogs (greyhounds) Research animals This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY- SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA https://gbgb-prod-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp- content/uploads/2019/05/02183516/Hero-image-4-1920x880.jpg under CC BY-SA ANIMAL CHARITY I N D U ST RY C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L P O P U L AT I O N I S S U E S C O M PA N I O N A N I M A L P O P U L AT I O N I S S U E S 3.2 million pets purchased over lockdown Significant number of pets were purchased by ‘first time’ owners Separation anxiety and lack of socialisation NTCAs not being cared for appropriately e.g., rabbits kept alone Potential for many to end up being rehomed https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/research-shows-many-rescue-centres-at-breaking-point/ THE ANIMAL CHARITY SECTOR Animals come into the care of charities for many different reasons Sometimes animals don’t fit in with the lives of their owners; e.g., holiday commitments, cost implications, change of circumstances, behaviour Charities obtain their money from the general public - rely on donations and fundraising THE ANIMAL CHARITY SECTOR Rehoming a Rescue Animal Charities specify criteria Often require a house visit https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-Kennels-banner2.jpg Ages of any children and presence of other animals – determines eligibility Some charities will only rehome puppies (not adult dogs) to homes with young children Lifestyle (e.g. working full-time) https://www.facebook.com/adoptdontshop.mkt448/ ‘ S T R AY ’ A N I M A L S DOGS Should be chipped (legally) and details up to date. Local authority dog wardens CATS Feral vs. stray - local authority doesn’t have to deal with them Can take into rescue shelter, RSPCA, etc. Can rehome if no owner found Microchipping crucial! – now legal requirement (since 13th March 2023) LEGISLATION L E G I S L AT I O N : O W N I N G P E T S Property Law Animals are considered ‘property’ under law Owners have a legal right to enjoy ‘autonomous freedom’ over their property Property law vs. animal welfare legislation Animals as ‘sentient’ beings Criminal damage act (1971) L E G I S L AT I O N : A N I M A L W E L FA R E Animal Welfare Act (2006) Made lack of care an offense No longer had to wait until suffering occurred Based on 5 Welfare needs: 1. Freedom from hunger or thirst 2. Freedom from discomfort 3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease 4. Freedom to express (most) normal behaviours 5. Freedom from fear and distress  L E G I S L AT I O N : TA I L D O C K I N G The “Docking of Working Dogs Tails Regulations 2007” ‘Working’ breeds: need proof (gun license, letter) England: hunt/point/retrieve (HPR) breeds, spaniels, terriers Vets only First 5 days of life Microchipped Vet must certify procedure done https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1136/vr.b4880 L E G I S L AT I O N : M I C R O C H I P P I N G Compulsory Microchipping Dogs – since April 2016 All dogs over 8 weeks old Cats – since March 2023 All cat over 20 weeks old After 10th June 2024 risk fine if not done - £500 Databases - updating details is owner’s responsibility  L E G I S L AT I O N : T R A V E L ‘Pet Passports’ now obsolete in UK Requirements vary depending on destination and are subject to change. Check the rules of the country for any additional restrictions or requirements before travel. Only official veterinarians can perform these certificates. For EU and Northern Ireland Microchip (before or at same time as Rabies vaccination) Valid rabies vaccination (must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel) Animal Health Certificate (AHC issued no more than 10 days before travel) Tapewormer for dogs travelling directly to certain countries (Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta) Tapewormer to return to the UK (1-5 days before return) https://www.improve-ov.com/qualifications/ca-course.php Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) L E G I S L AT I O N : D A N G E R O U S D O G S Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 Under the Act, it is illegal to own certain dogs without an exemption from a court The Act bans the breeding, sale and exchange of these dogs The Act applies to five types of dogs: Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro American XL Bully L E G I S L AT I O N : D A N G E R O U S D O G S Exemptions Prove dog is not a danger to public safety That it is owned by a 'fit and proper' person to be in charge Neutered and microchipped Third-party insurance Keep at listed address, report change of address and death or export of the dog Keeping the dog muzzled, on a lead in public places and secure at home to prevent escape Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (amended 1997) It is an offence for any dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public OR PRIVATE PLACE (2014) Does NOT need to have bitten … and is NOT breed specific Penalties Fine Prison Sentence Disqualification from owning an animal for as long as the court deems appropriate A destruction order place on the dog  L E G I S L AT I O N : D A N G E R O U S D O G S Does the dangerous dogs act work? It is argued that current legislation based on genetics ignores the influence of the dog’s owner No breed of dog is inherently dangerous The owner is responsible for training Any dog in the wrong hands has the potential to be dangerous https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/charities-and-vets-demand-dangerous-dog- law-overhaul/ Does demonising certain breeds make them more attractive? – ‘status dogs’ or dog-fighting rings ‘Deed not breed’ L E G I S L AT I O N : T H E F U T U R E  L E G I S L AT I O N : T H E F U T U R E https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/ear-cropping-campaign/ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-lead-the-way- on-animal-welfare-through-flagship-new-action-plan W H E R E T O S TAY U P T O D AT E BVA - https://www.bva.co.uk/ Vet record - https://www.bva.co.uk/our-journals/ Vet Times - https://www.vettimes.co.uk/ RCVS DEFRA SUMMARY The companion animal sector is a massive industry Companion animals are acquired from different sources, some potentially problematic Companion animal species have different uses, other than companionship Several important legislations exist, incl. the animal welfare act, the dangerous dogs act, tail docking, microchipping, pet travel