Exotic pets - Scottish Animal Welfare Commission: interim report

Appendix II - Questions sent to stakeholders

Local authorities

Local authorities were asked to supply information about licensed pet suppliers in their areas, pet shop licence conditions and any issues identified by officials. They were also asked if they had any information on the questions below.

1. The different taxa kept and sold in Scotland and approximate numbers of each.

2. Number of species imported to Scotland (or UK if need be) from outside UK and also outside the EU.

3. Number of animals of each species imported to Scotland (or UK if need be) from outside the UK and also outside the EU, with information on the countries of origin and main routes to the UK.

4. How many of each species are captive-bred versus wild-caught?

5. Number of breeders of different species in Scotland, with information about the size of operations – e.g. domestic/hobby breeders or commercial breeders

6. What are the main methods of sale and transfer in Scotland (e.g. shops/retail outlets, wholesale supply/online classifieds, public/private social media (Facebook or specialist forums), specialist events?

In a second enquiry, local authorities were asked whether they used the Standard Model Licence Conditions for pet shops issued by CIEH/etc and whether their licence conditions included a clause requiring retailers to keep a register of animals including their origin. A typical clause reads:

Register of Animals

A purchase register must be maintained for all animals detailing their source and identification where appropriate.

Guidance: This can be by cross referenced to an invoice file. The purpose of the register is to ascertain the source of the animals, see Section … below.

A sales register must be maintained for:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Psittacines
• Species contained in the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

Guidance: The purpose of the register is for emergency contact of purchasers. The name, address and telephone number of the purchaser should be obtained. This is not required for other species.

Scottish Government

In April 2021 the Scottish Government supplied the work group with a discussion paper.

Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA)

Officials were asked to supply figures for imports. SAWC has requested data for a limited list of animal classes and a reply is awaited. The orders listed in the request were: Lagomorpha; Rodentia; Carnivora; Primates; Psittaciformes; Passeriformes; Falconiformes; Strigiformes; Accipitriformes; Cypriniformes; Chelonia; Squamata; Anura; Caudata Pet industry

Pet industry representatives were asked for any information they could supply on:

1. The different taxa and genera kept and sold in Scotland and approximate numbers of each.

2. Number of species imported to Scotland (or UK if need be) from outside UK and also outside the EU.

3. Number of animals of each species imported to Scotland (or UK if need be) from outside the UK and also outside the EU.

4. How many of each species/genus are captive-bred versus wild-caught?

5. What are the main methods of sale and transfer in Scotland (e.g. shops/retail outlets, online classifieds, public/private social media (Facebook or specialist forums), specialist events?

Scottish/UK animal welfare NGOs and stakeholders

Animal welfare organisations were asked for any information they could supply on:

1. Common ailments and diseases of different species, welfare issues and outcomes

2. Animals abandoned or taken in for welfare reasons

3. Husbandry concerns and knowledge among keepers

4. Methods of acquisition (eg online sales, transport)

5. Conditions in breeding facilities, retail outlets (shops and online).

They were also asked if they had views on:

6. A statutory positive list system, where only certain species are permitted for private keeping (see Note below)?

7. A traffic light system allowing keepers with different levels of expertise and facilities to keep a wider range of animals under licence?

8. No specific regulation other than the requirements of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976?

9. Another approach (please give details)?

EU stakeholders and officials

EU partners were asked about:

1. Concerns about the welfare, care and treatment of exotic pets that have led to domestic legislation, or consideration of such legislation

2. The nature of the legislative approach taken or planned, including views on a “positive list”.

If possible, more detail on domestic issues with:

3. Common ailments and diseases of different species, welfare issues and outcomes

4. Animals abandoned or taken in for welfare reasons

5. Husbandry concerns and knowledge among keepers

6. Methods of acquisition (eg online sales, transport) and whether you are aware if there are significant numbers of wild caught exotic pets (e.g. reptiles) for sale in your country

7. Conditions in breeding facilities, retail outlets (shops and online).

Belgium and the Netherlands

Officials and involved animal welfare contacts were asked about methods currently used to control the import and sale of “exotic pets” from an animal welfare perspective, including the listing approach, whether this be positive lists, negative lists, traffic-light systems or restrictions aimed specifically at the import of wild caught species. Information was also sought about developing and implementing a listing approach under domestic legislation.

In particular, SAWC asked for information regarding:

• the methodology used to compile the relevant species list/lists
• mechanisms adopted to ensure that lists are scientifically sound
• any measures included to optimise the husbandry and welfare of animals included in the lists
• any other relevant factors

Up-to-date versions of all current lists or links to online documents, were also requested.

Additional requests

In May 2021, SAWC contacted UK veterinary schools to enquire as to the proportion of the undergraduate curriculum devoted to exotic species.

SAWC also contacted the Pet Advertising Advisory Group to ask if it could assist with information regarding level and type of online small mammal and exotic pet sales in Scotland or the UK.