PCT Promotes Pet Retailer QA Scheme

The Pet Care Trust, (PCT) has launched a new drive to promote its Pet Retailer QA Scheme. The scheme provides a Quality Assurance Standard for Pet Retailing and independent assessment and certification by assurance company SAI Global, (SAI).

The Trust says the Standard addresses current unfair inconsistencies in Local Authority licensing rules. Unfortunately the scheme does not replace the existing system so, for the time being at least, compliance with the new standard means additional bureaucracy for pet shop owners.

In order to move closer to industry self-regulation, and remove the need for Local Authority inspections, PCT needs the scheme to roll out across the country with much greater take-up

In the meantime PCT is emphasising the customer assurance benefits of the new standard. Complying retailers receive a Certificate of Conformity and an 'Assured Pet Specialist' logo to display. The sticking point seems to be that pet owners do not yet understand the significance of the logo. Unless that situation changes, retailers will remain slow to move. Hence the new drive.

On the face of it, the PCT approach to dealing with an out-of-date LA inspection system appears sound. SAI Global has an 80 strong team of trained auditors and the company has a good reputation for auditing animal health and welfare industries.

The Pet Retailer Standard covers:

Staff training in animal husbandry and welfare

Customer care

Health and safety

Compliance with legislation, including that on animal welfare

The six taxa-specific standards for mammals, reptiles, birds and fish

Self assessment forms with tick boxes

Blank templates for record keeping

Legislation outline

Guidance on animal weaning, biosecurity, acclimatization and evacuation

The Standard was developed with the help of a variety of industry experts including vets, a zoologist, small animal breeders and legal advice versed in animal welfare issues and pet retail.