Animal welfare policy

As a charity, we have adopted the provision of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act and RSPCA recommended standards, which apply to pets and those responsible for domestic animals, e.g. breeders, those who have working animals or farm animals in England and Wales. We have also adopted the 5 European conventions on animal welfare.

We support animals that are at risk, or have been abused or maltreated, as well as fit and healthy animals.

Animal Welfare Act

Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.

In short it means those responsible for animals, must take positive steps to ensure they care for their animals properly and in particular must provide for the five welfare needs, which are the need:

• For a suitable environment
• For a suitable diet
• To be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• To be housed with, or apart, from other animals
• To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Advice on how this should be achieved is available on the RSPCA advice and welfare pages.

Animal Welfare Standards

We recognise that achieving UK animal welfare standards is other countries may be very difficult, but we and require partner organisations to abide by these where possible and to work towards achieving these where it is not initially achievable.

Pets

We have adopted the Defra standards:

• Cats

Animal Welfare Standards Globally

• World Animal Protection Animal Protection Index.
• Global Animal Law Association – Legislation Database.
• EU – Conventions on Animal Welfare.

How These Will Be Met

Welfare Standards

We and any organisations that we work with will maintain procedures to:

• Identity animals in need of help and make decisions on which animals are rehomed, returned to owners or released into the wild (if applicable).
• Ensure that there are sufficient people and that those caring for animals have the necessary qualifications and experience to do
• Ensure compliance with the above and any local legal requirements and good practice for animal care.
• Ensure that facilities are maintained to an acceptable standard, including standards of comfort and safety for the animals, with adequate maintenance of facilities, heating, cleanliness and food quality and quantity.
• Ensure that animals are housed and managed in a way that ensures they do not pose a threat to either themselves, or others, such as staff, volunteers or visitors.

Skills & Experience

• Those caring for animals must have the necessary experience and/or qualifications
• There should be a vet on the staff team, or an arrangement with a local vet who has the necessary expertise in the type of animal(s) to be cared for
• The vet should provide any specialist care and also provide guidance to the charity on how best to care for the animals.
• For the handling and management of medicines, or any procedures authorised by a vet, individuals must hold the relevant veterinary nursing, or other qualification, if required and be suitably experienced and supervised.
• Everyone involved with the animals should have or be provided with appropriate guidance and on-the-job training in animal husbandry and care and be supervised.
• Everyone should be made aware of and provided with any necessary H&SW training to keep themselves, the animals and any visitors safe.
• Where young people are involved, any under the age of 13 will require parental (or other guardian) consent unless volunteering with a parent, or guardian, who will act in loco parentis. That is take full responsibility for him or her.

Rehoming

We assess prospective adopters and the facilities for their pet, to ensure they:

• Have met the animal in person. We do not rehome pets based on online or postal applications.
• Will care for the animal, as a pet, and it will not be used for activities such as hunting or fighting.
• Are committed to doing so, including:
  • Understanding the costs involved and;
  • Any specific medical, dietary or behavioural issues the animal may have
  • If in rented or tied accommodation, they have the landlord’s permission.
• Understand its needs and that it will be adequately housed, with appropriate access to free space and stimulation to meet its needs.

We also require prospective owners to provide proof of identify and to confirm they are at least 18 years old.

Annex A – Assessment Criteria

Assessments and decisions on issues such as rehoming or release may only be made by people with substantial experience in caring for cats, who have been approved by the trustees as having the necessary skills to do so.

Physical Checklist

• Body Check if underweight, overweight, or has any visible signs of malnutrition or injury.
• Coat and Look for signs of parasites, wounds, infections, or poor grooming (matted fur, excessive dirt).
• Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Check for discharge, redness, swelling, or any other abnormalities.
• Observe if it is lethargic, aggressive, or showing any signs of distress or unusual behaviour.
• Assess if it has difficulty walking, standing, or shows signs of pain when moving.

Circumstantial Checklist

• Living Determine if the living environment is safe, clean, and provides shelter from the elements.
• Has appropriate stimulation/exercise and space to be able to stimulate normal behaviour.
• Access to Food and Ensure access to fresh water and a proper diet.
• Human Assess socialisation, fear of humans, or has been subjected to abuse or neglect.
• Medical Evaluate if it has received any necessary vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and treatment for any medical issues.
• Assess if it is in immediate danger due to predators, traffic, or other environmental hazards.

Annex B – Pet Rehoming Agreement

This agreement documents the transfer of ownership of the cat named to the adopting person, located at the following address:

Pet Details

Please keep these details in a safe place.

• Pet Name:
• Age/DOB:
• Color/Description:
• Sex: Spayed or Neutered (Y/N):
• Microchip (if applicable):
• Veterinary Clinic:
• Microchip Company:
• Last Vaccinations:
• Known health conditions (if applicable):
• Date/Description of last vet visit:
• Other Information (if applicable):

If the pet is microchipped, the charity will contact the microchip registry service to transfer ownership.

Responsibilities:

• Agree to care for the pet in a safe and humane manner as a family pet and
  • We will provide appropriate food, water, shelter, and medical care for the pet’s life.

• Ensure our pet is provided with essential equipment such as bedding, food and water bowls, litter tray, scratching post/toys, grooming equipment and pet
• Kept in a suitable environment – for example, if we have any other pets and/or children we will ensure our pet will feel secure and happy with them
• Kept in a safe environment - for example, any toxic plants and/or cleaning materials will be kept safely out-of-reach.
•  Agree to make sufficient time to care for and socialise with our pet. Signature:

Print Name:

Address:

Telephone Number:

E Mail: