The number of litters a female animal can have in one year could be limited under new rules, along with how many dogs a professional walker can look after at once.
Results from a States-run survey on expanding animal welfare laws found there was support for many ideas – including a proposed 1-5 star rating system for some licensable activities.
Licensed activities could include animal breeders, kennels/catteries, day-care services, dog walkers, riding stables, pet shops, and groomers.
The survey followed a States agreement in July last year to introduce better protection for animals.
With up to 10,000 dogs in Guernsey alone, the States Veterinary Office launched the survey to gauge feedback on how a licensing system could be introduced as part of the new animal welfare laws.
The survey was open for four weeks between February and March this year, receiving 266 responses.
“Thank you to every member of the public and business owner who took part in this survey,” said Grace Hodgkinson, Deputy States Veterinary Officer.
“It was vitally important we heard from the broader population – particularly those who regularly work with animals. The feedback we have received will certainly help towards shaping licensing conditions for animal-related activities such as dog walking, home boarding, and pest control – to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare in Guernsey.”
The States Veterinary Office has said that overall the survey’s findings suggest there is widespread support for the proposals.
Among the areas receiving support highlighted by the SVO is a 1-to-5 star rating system for some licensable activities (71%), a limit on the number of dogs that a professional dog walker can walk at once (93%), a limit on the number of litters a female animal should have a year (96%), and a limit on the number of breeding animals per licence (82.8%)
Despite those high levels of support in some areas, some concerns were raised about the States introducing more red tape to island life.
Some of the responders to the survey said that licences are not necessary in some areas, with one saying that it could be “unnecessary, time consuming, and expensive”.
Another said licensing could turn into a “tick box and cash cow system” rather than something that is “properly administered that islanders can trust”.
Another suggested that tiered licences could work, while another commented that “animal welfare and protection is paramount” in all areas.
The overall objective of gaining public feedback was to ensure that licensing is fair,
proportionate, and does not negatively impact on local activities and animal welfare. The
report provides a review of the individual consultation questions and responses, an
overview of the results of the consultation, and it highlights key themes which emerged.
The full report is available at www.gov.gg/animalwelfare.