RSPCA wants animal welfare shelters and rehoming centres licensed – one of a series of measures they are calling for

RSPCA Cymru has published a new report into the welfare issues surrounding wild animals in Wales and are calling for a series of improvement and recommendations they would like implemented.

Welfare issues around wild animals, those that are not normally domesticated such as badgers to nesting birds, and includes pet snakes and elephants in captivity – have come under the spotlight in the report published today, Tuesday November 3 by RSPCA Cymru.

Polling from RSPCA Cymru, as part of a new report, reveal that the majority of people in Wales support an outright ban of snares, a ban on keeping primates as pets and a ban on wild animals performing in circuses in Wales.

Some of the top line insights the report are:

• Polling from RSPCA Cymru found that 74 percent* of the public support a ban on wild animals performing in circuses in Wales after hearing that other European countries have banned animal performances in circuses.

• RSPCA Cymru found that 72 percent* of those polled in Wales support a ban on the keeping of all primates as pet and recommends that the keeping of primates as pets is banned.

• RSPCA Cymru recommends that there is a need for more funding to investigate the trade in exotic pets in Wales. How regulations and codes of practice may work would also be welcomed as would the inclusion of this important issue in future Animal Health and Welfare Framework plans.

• The RSPCA recommends that sanctuaries (known as animal welfare establishments, ‘shelters’, ‘rehoming centres’ or ‘wildlife clinics/hospitals’) – which are not regulated – need a system of registration or licensing by the local authority (which must be cost-recoverable for the council) that provides for risk-based inspections, unannounced spot checks and mandatory minimum operating policies. RSPCA Cymru believe this is the only way to provide protection for both the animals on site and the long-term sustainable future for the sanctuary.

• More than 1,000 campaign actions have been taken by RSPCA supporters in efforts to get local authorities to ban sky lanterns – which pose a danger to wildlife, farm animals and pets. So far 14 out of the 22 local authorities have implemented a ban on their land.

• RSPCA Cymru recommends that only an outright ban on the use of snares in Wales meets the expectations of the public to ensure high animal welfare standards are reflected in our laws. RSPCA Cymru found that 72 percent* support a ban on all snares for all animals in Wales.

Assistant director external relations – Wales, Claire Lawson, said:

“Our polling clearly shows that the majority of the Welsh public support change when it comes to improving wild animal welfare.

“Wild Animal Welfare Indicators  intends not only to benchmark and demonstrate ‘where we are’ with wild animal welfare in Wales, but aims to be thought-provoking, encourage change and make recommendations as to how improvements can be made.

“It is hoped this report can be a valuable guide to what is happening in Wales with regard to wild animal welfare and means that problems can be identified and addressed, solutions established, and positive learning replicated across different issues.”

Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, said:

“I am grateful to RSPCA Cymru for the latest in its series of animal welfare indicators and one which, for the first time, brings together a collection of indicators that provide an insight into the welfare issues surrounding wild animals in Wales.

“We in Wales are at the forefront of implementing higher animal welfare standards. The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework sets out our vision for continuing and lasting improvements in standards for kept animals whilst also helping to protect public health and contributing to the economy and the environment. The Framework represents a significant opportunity for us to focus on delivery to achieve the highest standards of animal health and welfare and this indicator report, which contains a snapshot of some of the animal welfare concerns, provides a baseline of available data and recommendations for improvements.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with RSPCA Cymru and stakeholders across Wales to continue the progress made to raise standards of animal health and welfare.”

The report: politicalanimal.org.uk