Govt urged to set rules for pet shops

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 28

Govt urged to set rules for pet shops

PA Nelson The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will ask the Government to set minimum standards for pet shops and other commercial establishments using animals. Delegates at the society’s annual conference in Nelson decided that establishments such as pet shops, catteries, dog kennels, and riding stables should have minimum requirements for the care of animals. The national director, Mr Neil Wells, said this would set cage sizes, ventilation requirements, cleaning, and hours of supervision. People setting up these establishments would have standards to go by, and give S.P.C.A. inspectors guidelines when investigating

complaints, he said. The society will also bring the Government’s attention to the suffering of stock in freezing works during strikes and lockouts. Mr Wells said although the society did not want to take sides during disputes, it was concerned about the suffering of animals. The society also wants a code of practice drawn up for tourist attractions involving domestic animals. Delegates heard that many such places were springing up, and were not covered in the Animal Protection Act. The attractions did not contain exotic animals and so were not covered under regulations covering zoos. The society will ask the Ministry of Agriculture to

draw up a code of practice setting minimum standards for such attractions. Another concern was the farming practice of inducing abortions in feral animals to make them available immediately for breeding. Mr Wells said the problems was increasing, particularly in the goat breeding industry. The society also endorsed its opposition to the introduction of myxomatosis to control wild rabbit breeding, and to the practice of deer-velveting without anaesthetic. The conference heard that the Deer Farmers’ Association had agreed with the society’s policy that deer should be velveted under anaesthetic. All conference remits were passed unanimously.