Many pets are non-native species that have been imported (or originally come) from all over the world, so pet traders have a key role to play in helping to stop these species from becoming invasive in Great Britain.
By taking simple measures to reduce the risk of escape from your premises and educating customers on how they can look after their pet properly for the duration of its life, pet traders can help to protect our native biodiversity.
As outlined in the legal responsibilities for pet owners, it is an offence to release, or allow the escape, into the wild animals that are covered by section 14(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, or to import, keep, breed, transport, sell, use or release, or release into the environment any species of special concern.
What to do in your pet premises
Keep animals securely
Ensure that nothing can escape from your facility or during transport, and that all consignments are clearly labelled.
Check for ‘hitchhikers’
Check consignments for ‘hitchhikers’, including live organisms, plants, parasites and pathogens. If you find something:
- Contain it so that it cannot escape into the wild - be aware that some species can be venomous or aggressive and take care not to be stung or bitten.
- Contact an appropriate rescue organisation or hobby group to try and find someone who can collect it and care for it appropriately (see ‘what to do with a pet you can no longer look after’ for organisations that may be able to help).
- If you have found an insect hitchhiker and have not been able to find an organisation to collect it, place it in a sealed container and freeze this for 48 hours before disposing of it.
- If you have found a plant hitchhiker, dispose of it responsibly, for example by adding it to your garden compost or using it as mulch (away from waterbodies or drains) - do not wash it down a drain or place it in rivers or other waterbodies as it could become invasive. Check out the Be Plant Wise campaign for more information.
Dispose of waste responsibly
- Place waste bedding and substrate (including plants) in a strong, sealed bag or container before disposing of it in the appropriate bin.
- If you can, treat it before you do this, by freezing it for 48 hours or baking it in an oven.
- Freeze used live-food bags and tubs for 48 hours before disposing of them to ensure there is no surviving live-food that could escape.
If you have an aquarium
- Empty used aquarium water onto your lawn or flowerbed, or into the sink or toilet if you don’t have access to a garden. Do not empty it into or near outdoor drains, ponds, or other watercourses.
- Dispose of unwanted aquatic plants responsibly, for example by adding them to your garden compost or using them as mulch (away from waterbodies or drains) - do not wash them down drains or place them in rivers or other waterbodies as they could become invasive. Check out the Be Plant Wise campaign for more information.
- Check any aquatic plants you remove for ‘hitchhikers’, such as crustacea, molluscs or cleaner species and return these to your aquarium or place them in a sealed container and freeze for at least 48 hours before disposing of them.
A care sheet with more information on disposing of ‘hitchhikers’ and decontaminating your aquarium is available from OATA.
Educating your customers
When people visit your premises it’s the perfect time to educate them about how to care properly for their new pet for its lifetime.
Register your interest in receiving a free 'Don’t let them loose' pack to help you communicate this issue to customers. The awareness-raising materials are in development and will be released soon.
Care information
Making sure people choose the right pet for them will help reduce the likelihood that they have to give the pet up. Providing clear, accurate, information about species on sale will ensure customers are fully aware of the commitment needed to care properly for their new pet for its entire life. This should include:
- behavioural characteristics
- care information
- any hazards they may present or restrictions that apply to the ownership of that species
- how long it might live
- adult size
- fecundity
- an indication of the cost of care
Talk to customers about the importance of preventing pet escapes, and where to find 'Don’t let them loose' guidance, including what to do if their pet does escape or they are no longer able to care for it.
Other resources to help you and your customers
Pet owners can also find guidance on how to choose a pet from:
- How to Buy a Pet
- Pet Know-How – pet owners can take a test and receive a certificate to demonstrate to you that they understand the responsibility they are taking on.
Other useful resources for traders: