I urge the Government to licence animal welfare establishments and animal activities in England thus improving animal welfare and protecting members of the public using or donating to such services. The Welsh Government have already published a consultation document online for the licensing of animal activities and England must follow. See link below:

 https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2023-12/animal-licensing-consultation-document.pdf

Currently anyone can open an animal rescue, sanctuary, rehabilitation and re- homing centre. They rely on public donations and without licensing the public have no assurances that the animals at such establishments are receiving the standard of care and environment to suit the animals needs. Often accredited rescues and organisations are left to pick up the pieces when things go wrong.

Animal activities would include animal behaviorists, animal trainers, dog walking, home boarding etc. Licensing such activities would ensure the welfare of the animals and reassure people using their services that a minimum standard of care is met. 

The licensing of animal rescues, sanctuaries, rehabilitation and re-homing centres should be prioritised. There are a number of “rescues” across England that fall well below ideal welfare standards operating as businesses under the guise of “charities.”  

Below are some examples of "rescues" which have been closed down due to appalling conditions:

 https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/animal-sanctuary-owner-banned-life-9638843​

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10564264.consett-rescue-centre-owner-banned-horse-cruelty/​

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/whispering-willows-sanctuary-owner-banned-after-137-horses-removed-and-two-put-down-737752

Concerns    

Some concerns include: 

- Inappropriate premises or housing conditions for the number of animals being accommodated. - Lack of suitably trained staff to cater for animals’ needs. 

- Animals might not be best matched to new owners, resulting in them needing to be returned, re-homed elsewhere, or abandoned. 

- Re-homing centres operating as pet retailers, circumventing the need for them to be licensed under current legislation. 

- Some animals that are imported, legally or illegally, for re homing may be carrying diseases not normally found in the UK. Some of which are zoonotic. 

- Without strict policies and procedures in place, establishments can find themselves overwhelmed and with insufficient resource (financial, staffing, facilities, access to veterinary expertise) to cope with the animals being surrendered. 

- The cost-of-living crisis has compounded issues, with added strain on resources and increased cases of animal abandonment or voluntary surrender. 

The implementation of a licensing regime would require organisations to meet minimum standards and have in place well-constructed business plans, adequate resource streams, and risk management. Regular inspections would ensure standards are being consistently met and any issues identified, advice administered, and progress monitored. The overall aim is to regulate this area to protect animal welfare in a way that is not unduly burdensome for those currently doing a good job, while being effective in dealing with cases where welfare is not being sufficiently delivered or where unscrupulous individuals are effectively operating commercially under the guise of a charity.    

The Rational for Licensing   

To enhance and protect animal welfare through the introduction of a statutory licensing scheme which will set minimum standards that all licence holders must comply with. In the absence of adequate, consistent and effective licensing Local Authorities’ ability to enforce standards, deal with breaches and ensure welfare needs are being met is severely restricted.

Licensing will ensure that individuals offering such services are:

• subject to appropriate checks before being granted a licence, 

• subject to periodic inspection by local authorities, 

• suitably experienced and/or qualified to deliver the services offered, 

• operating to defined statutory standards, 

• accountable when licence conditions are breached or animal welfare is compromised, 

• listed on a publicly available register (held and maintained by the licensing body) to reassure the public that persons offering a particular service are properly licensed.  

Immediate action must be taken to improve the standards and living conditions of animals finding themselves in rescues and used in animal activities. The public must have assurances that these establishments and businesses achieve and maintain a minimum standard.