Welfare focus for exotic pets
Members of the British Veterinary Zoological Society's (BVZS) have agreed to a "discussion document" on the wild-caught exotics trade, and the future of public and veterinary exotic pet education.
The agreement came at the society's annual meeting, with the document suggesting risk assessments for individual species, judging welfare and public and environmental health considerations, and the creation of a list of species appropriate for being kept as pets.
BVZS has said it wants of a full-scale evidence review to gauge the situation of exotic pet-keeping in the UK, tighter regulation of the exotics trade across Europe and greater public education drives on exotics, with targeted species-specific education programmes for those working in the pet trade.
The society are working with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to produce a joint position statement on the exotics trade.
BVZS President Matt Brash said: "Channels are now being created so BVZS and BVA can move forward on these really difficult ares and I want us all working together on this."
The statement recommends that BVA and BVZS should cooperate with the RCVS and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education to evaluate the benefits and encourage the inclusion of an exotic animal clinical service in all veterinary teaching colleges/universities.
Also at the meeting, the society set up working groups to look at incorporating welfare recommendations into the Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Act and pet shop inspections. As a result, BVZS is currently developing a standardised documentation.
Mr Brash added: "These are really important areas that need sorting out - there are big ethical issues here and we all agree the health of individual animals is what we care about."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
