With over 2000 pet retailers through out the UK, when it comes to obtaining advice on your pet or buying a new edition to the family, it is sometimes difficult to know which route to go down; the independent pet shop, a large chain or perhaps a garden centre that sells pets? However, with the launch of the new Pet Retailer Quality Assurance Scheme by the Pet Care Trust, consumers now have a quality standard and logo that they can rely on.

Need for the Scheme
Currently all pet retailers that sell livestock are licensed by their local council, however although all should be inspected to the same standard, there is concern that the content of the inspection and the requirements to obtain a pet shop licence can differ greatly between the various local authorities, leaving pet retailers frustrated with the unfair system that is currently in place.

The Standard
With the need of one Standard for all, the Pet Care Trust has developed the Pet Retailer Quality Assurance Standard which forms the basis of the Pet Retailer Quality Assurance Scheme. The Standard which has been 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, is split into two parts - Core standards, which all members are required to comply with and six additional species standards which will be applicable depending on the pets the retailer sells.

Customer Assurance
The Standard covers a wide variety of requirements. Animal acquisition standards check the pet retailer is selling livestock that is sourced from reputable breeders and takes into account the accommodation of the animals sold, the diet and their specific husbandry requirements. Health and welfare standards are incorporated to ensure that if animals become sick, they are given immediate treatment and that disease risk is kept to a minimum. There are also standards to ensure that staff are provided with adequate and continued training to ensure that any advice given to customers is accurate and trustworthy. However, it is not only the animals who are important to the ‘Assured Pet Specialist’ in the scheme, as health and safety standards and requirements relating to retail products and customer care are all integral elements of the scheme.

Who does the inspections?
Membership and assessments are carried out by SAI Global, an independent assurance company with unrivalled experience in auditing standards with a focus on animal health and welfare. All pet retailers applying to become a member will be assessed by an independent assessor and is required to rectify any issues identified by the assessment prior to becoming a member.

The Quality logo
Once certified the pet retailer will receive their Certificate of Conformity and ‘Assured Pet Specialist’ logo to display. Members currently displaying the logo, do so with the knowledge that they are part of the only scheme of its kind in the UK, and the confidence that their animal welfare standards and retailing meet agreed levels of good practice.

For more information contact Rachel Woodwards, Scheme Manager at pets@saiglobal.com