Petition To Regulate Pet Sitters In Malta Calling For Operating Licenses
A petition launched to regulate pet sitters, groomers, dog walkers, and trainers has been launched, calling for the holding of operating licenses.
This comes after a recent tragedy where two dogs in the care of a sitter died, while another went missing.
The petition, entitled “a call to regulate the groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers and trainers sectors”, is calling for Minister for Animal Rights Anton Refalo to “immediately enact legislation governing” the sectors in line with international guidelines.
Signatories of the petition are specifically calling for the holding of an operating license which should be dependent on certain terms.
Such terms include:
- Criminal record background checks;
- Liability insurance;
- A safe and suitable space for the particular animal;
- The number of animals should not exceed the capacity of the available space;
- Dogs and cats should not be kept in crates and should be in a c comfortable temperature at all times, with plenty of fresh water available;
- Dogs must not be left alone – a pet sitter must be present at all times;
- Random checks should be carried out by the relevant authorities to ensure that the terms of the license are being adhered to, and;
- Dog carers must also undertake courses in these areas: animal first aid, animal behavioural issues, and other courses for specific species. All of these courses are easily available online from organisations that are EU accredited, until such time as suitably accredited courses are available locally.
The petition also included more requirements that can be read here. As it stands, the petition has received 749 signatures out of its goal of 1,000.
This is not the first time that locals have called for the regulation of sectors regarding pet services.
In 2022, the death of a “beloved” golden labrador while under the care of an unlicensed pet sitter reignited calls for the sector to be regulated – with pet sitters needing licenses before they can take on a client’s pets.
Meanwhile, back in November 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Welfare announced plans to introduce laws regulating pet sitters, breeders, trainers, and groomers.
A spokesperson for Bugeja Said told Lovin Malta that the first of the four legal notices to be published will be the one regulating pet sitters, which will build up on S.L. 439.15 regulating Boarding Establishments.
What do you make of these requests?
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