Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th January 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

All assured dog breeders to be inspected
Image golden retriever puppy
Drive to improve scheme means fees set to rise

Starting from January 2014, all dog breeders that are part of the Kennel Club's Assured Breeder scheme will be inspected, in a drive to improve quality.

Breeders who pass an assessment visit from January 1, 2014 will receive UKAS accredited certification from the Kennel Club. This will be backdated for those breeders who passed an inspection in 2013.

Going forward, all new members of the scheme will have to pass an assessment in order to be accepted as an assured breeder. Members will thereafter be inspected every three years, or before each litter they breed.

Prior to this, inspections were usually only carried out on scheme members who bred more than two litters in a year. Additionally, assessments were conducted randomly and in response to complaints, which the Kennel Club says will continue in future.

As a result of the increased number of inspections that will be taking place, the Kennel Club has announced fees will be increasing for the first time in the scheme's 10-year history.

On January 1, 2014, the application fee for new joiners rose from £15 to £20, and the yearly membership fee tripled to £30. This annual fee is set to continue rising over the next two years, costing £45 from January 2015 and £60 from January 2016.

Alternatively, members have the option of paying a nominal associate membership fee of £12 per year, as well as a separate inspection fee of £167, which provides UKAS certification for three years.

According to the organisation, the cost of the scheme per member is £200 over a three-year period, with fees helping to support its commitment to improving dog health and welfare.

In order to absorb the rise in fees, the Kennel Club says it will provide members with a comprehensive package of discounts, offering £300 worth of annual savings on health screening schemes, pet healthcare products and DNA testing.

According to the organisation, the more rigorous inspection process has been introduced in response to feedback from the majority of assured breeders, after a survey in summer 2013 revealed members of the scheme wanted additional inspections.

Kennel Club chairman Steve Dean, said: “The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is unique and those who are part of it are leading a quiet revolution in the way puppies are bred and sold."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.