Local authorities have a number of responsibilities regarding animals, such as pets in council properties/public places, pet shops, kennelling, breeding establishments and emergency planning, however they have no performance indicators that directly relate to animal welfare services.
Across the UK there has been no percentage change in the last three years in the number of local authorities who have animal welfare charters with just eight per cent of respondents claiming to have one. It is also disappointing to see a drop in the number of local authorities considering or planning a charter in the next twelve months dropping from 14 and 16 per cent in 2008 and 2009, to just 10 per cent in 2010. For the first time Scotland has reported no animal welfare charters in any local authorities that responded to the survey this year and only four per cent of authorities stated that they are considering adopting one in the next twelve months.
On the positive side, the RSPCA’s Community Animal Welfare Footprints (CAWF) scheme has helped to establish criteria for animal welfare service standards and encouraged the development of welfare friendly policies. Entries to the scheme have more than doubled since its launch in 2008.
For more information, read the 'Animal Welfare Charter' indicator.
