STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 439.26 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS REGULATIONS 28th August, 2024 LEGAL NOTICE 149 of 2024. 1.
(1)The title of these regulations is the Standards for Operating Pet Sitting Accommodations and Pet Boarding Accommodation Establishments for Cats and Dogs Regulations. Citation and scope.
(2)The scope of these regulations is to establish the minimum standards for the registration of pet sitting accommodations and for the licensing of pet boarding accommodation establishments for cats and dogs in Malta.
(3)Persons who are operating a pet sitting accommodation or a pet boarding accommodation establishment for cats and dogs before the coming into force of these regulations are being granted a transitional period of one
(1)year from the coming into force of these regulations in order to fulfil their obligations in accordance with these regulations. 2. requires:
(1)In these regulations, unless the context otherwise Interpretation. "accommodation" means a premises where pets are brought in by pet owners or keepers and where they are cared for by a pet sitter or a pet boarder on a temporary basis in the owner’s or keeper’s absence and where the premises offers all the necessary amenities to ensure the animals’ safety and welfare while in temporary care and includes pet sitting accommodations and pet boarding accommodation establishments for cats and dogs: Provided that the premises shall have obtained any other permits or licences which may be required from other departments or entities to be able to carry out pet sitting and pet boarding services; "Act" means the Animal Welfare Act; "animal" or "pet" means an owned domestic cat or dog unless otherwise stated; Cap. 439. 2 [ S.L. 439.26 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS "Animal First Aid" means the emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick pet animal before veterinary care is available; "Director" means the Director for Animal Welfare as defined in the Act and includes, to the extent of the authority given, any officer authorised by him to act on his behalf for any purposes of these regulations; "enclosure" means any confined space within which animals are kept; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for Veterinary Services; "pet boarder" means a person who may provide accommodation on any premises, including a dwelling house, for five
(5)animals or more at once, provided that the animals do not belong to the same animal owner or the occupant or the owner of the said premises: Provided that a pet boarder shall also include a person who may provide accommodation on a premises, including a dwelling house, for not more than four
(4)animals at once for a period of more than two
(2)weeks, provided that the animals do not belong to the same animal owner or the occupant or the owner of the said premises; "pet boarding accommodation establishments for cats and dogs" means any premises, including a private dwelling, where accommodation for five
(5)or more animals at once is provided, and where the owner of such animals is not the occupant or the owner of the premises where the animals are kept: Provided that the premises shall also include a private dwelling, including garages, where accommodation for not more than four
(4)animals at once for a period of more than two
(2)weeks, and where the owner of these animals is not the occupant or the owner of the premises where the animals are kept; Provided further that the premises shall have obtained any other permits or licences which may be required from other departments or entities to be able to carry out pet boarding services; "pet sitter" means a person who may provide accommodation in a premises, for not more than four
(4)STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 animals at once for a period of not more than two
(2)weeks, provided that the animals do not belong to the same animal owner or the occupant or the owner of the said premises: Provided that day carers, dog walkers and any other names that refer to someone taking care of a pet which belongs to another owner on a temporary basis, even if the service does not include overnight stay, shall be considered a pet sitter and these regulations shall also apply; "pet sitting accommodation" means any premises, including a dwelling house or garages, where accommodation for not more than four
(4)animals is provided, and where the owner of such animals is not the occupant or the owner of the premises where the animals are kept: Provided that the premises shall have also obtained any other permits or licences which may be required from other departments or entities to be able to carry out pet sitting services.
(2)Unless the context otherwise requires, words and phrases used in these regulations which are not defined herein shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Act. 3.
(1)A person shall not operate a pet sitting accommodation for the purposes of these regulations without being registered with the Director.
(2)A person shall not operate as a pet boarding accommodation establishment for cats and dogs for the purposes of these regulations without a licence.
(3)A pet sitter shall not operate unless registered with the Director and a pet boarder shall not operate unless licensed by the Director. Provided that any person who is already operating accommodations before the coming into force of these regulations shall apply with the Director within six
(6)months from the date of publication of these regulations.
(4)The Director may publish an updated list of all the registered or licensed accommodations on the relevant portals.
(5)Registration and licensing applications shall be submitted on the prescribed form to the Director and the said form shall include: Registration and licensing of accommodation. 3 4 [ S.L. 439.26 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS (
- a)the applicant’s details; (
- b)the accommodation details; (
- c)the details of the veterinary surgeon and, or professional responsible for drawing up and implementing the animal health control programme of the accommodation; (
- d)the animals’ details, including the species; (
- e)with regard to the licensing of pet boarding accommodation establishments for cats and dogs, the pet boarding accommodation establishment for cats and dogs premises’ details including other relevant permits and, or licenses that would have been obtained in accordance with other relevant regulations: Provided that the Director may request at any time from the applicant, any other relevant information or additional document, which are deemed necessary for the purposes of these regulations and that any processing of personal data pertaining to natural persons shall be in compliance with the principles of processing of personal data pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/ EC (General Data Protection Regulation).
(6)The accommodations shall have an appropriate animal health control programme designed and implemented under the responsibility of a professional registered with the Veterinary Surgeons Council, and the said programme shall be designed and implemented in accordance with the law as in force from time to the time.
(7)The Director shall conduct an inspection of the accommodations prior to renewing a registration or issuing a license, to determine whether the conditions of these regulations are in conformity and to establish whether the pet sitter or pet boarder is in compliance with the guidelines as issued by the Director from time to time. S.L. 35.36.
(8)If the said conditions are satisfied and the relevant fees are paid in accordance with the Fees (Pet Sitting Accommodations and Pet Boarding Accommodation Establishments for Cats and Dogs) Regulations, the Director shall accept or renew a registration or licence for the activity: STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 Provided that in the event that the registration or licence is not accepted or renewed, the Director shall stipulate corrective measures as necessary and may suspend or prohibit the commencement or continuation of the use of the accommodations.
(9)The registration or licence document, or a copy of the registration or license document shall be displayed in a prominent place in the accommodation.
(10)Any alterations to the layout of the accommodation as accepted upon registration or licensing shall be declared to the Director before the said alterations take place and the Director shall determine whether these alterations are acceptable or otherwise after an inspection is carried out: Provided that if the alterations are accepted, the existing registration or licence may be modified accordingly.
(11)The species of animals authorised to be kept in the accommodation shall be specified in the registration or licence document.
(12)Any pet sitter or pet boarder who does not comply with the conditions of their registration or licence, may have the registration or license of the accommodation suspended or revoked. 4.
(1)The personnel taking care of the animals shall have relevant qualifications acceptable to the Director. The necessary qualifications shall be published in the Gazette through a Government notice.
(2)The registration document in the case of pet sitting accommodation or the licence in the case of pet boarding accommodation establishments for cats and dogs, shall only be issued to persons who have never been convicted of cruelty to animals in accordance with the Act or the regulations made thereunder: Provided that if a registered pet sitter or licensed pet boarder is convicted of any cruelty to animals in accordance with the Act or the regulations made thereunder, the pet sitter or pet boarder shall have his licence or registration immediately revoked: Provided further that the pet sitter and the pet boarder shall ensure that the personnel employed to work in the accommodation that have direct access to or contact with the animals as well as the students and, or trainees have never been convicted of cruelty to animals in accordance with the Act or the regulations made thereunder. Personnel. 5 6 [ S.L. 439.26 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS
(3)The Director shall not accept an application for a registration or a license of an accommodation from any persons under the age of eighteen
(18)years and no such registration or license may be accepted or granted to said persons.
(4)A documented internal procedure shall be available and communicated to ensure that all personnel working in the accommodation, even if only providing a temporary service, follow correct practice as to ensure the animals’ health and welfare. Provided that the pet sitter or pet boarder shall ensure that in the accommodation at least one
(1)person from the personnel shall have a certificate in Animal First Aid when animals are present at the accommodation.
(5)Any staff, such as students and trainees, shall be supervised at all times during their practice at the accommodation. Animal records. 5.
(1)Pet sitters and pet boarders shall keep an internal record related to the animals kept under temporary care. The information kept shall include but shall not be limited to the following: (
- a)the date and time of arrival at the accommodation; (
- b)the name of the animal; (
- c)any identification system in case of cats and the microchip number in the case of dogs; (
- d)the description, breed, age and sex of animal; (
- e)the name, address, telephone number and identity card number of the owner or keeper; (
- f)the name, address, telephone number and identity card number of the contact person while the animal is at the accommodation; (
- g)the name, address and telephone number of the animal’s veterinary surgeon; (
- h)departure; the expected and actual date and time of (
- i)the health, welfare and nutrition requirements; (
- j)the permissions for animals sharing enclosures; (
- k)the authorisation for veterinary treatment; STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 (
- l)the details of vaccination and veterinary surgeon’s endorsement.
(2)Records shall be kept for a minimum period of two
(2)years and shall be made available to the Director during inspections or upon request. 6.
(1)Pet sitters and pet boarders shall only keep animals, which have received the necessary vaccinations, as detailed in the pet passport or veterinary records card, referred to in regulation 9
(3)which shall also include animals owned by the pet sitter or pet boarder if such animals are in the same accommodation. Accommodation conditions.
(2)No animal species, other than those species specified in the registration or license document, shall be kept in the accommodation.
(3)No dogs shall be kept in the accommodation unless it is microchipped according to the Electronic Identification of Dogs Regulations and that its registered owner listed for the respective microchip or an authorised keeper that has a written authorisation from the owner is the same person seeking the service. S.L. 437.101. 7.
(1)Pet sitters and pet boarders shall at all times keep animals in an accommodation suitable to their species with respect to construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness. All of the accommodation shall be kept in a state of good repair. Accommodation and equipment.
(2)The enclosures where pet dogs are kept shall be in line with the requirements set out in the Keeping of Dogs Regulations. S.L. 439.21.
(3)The Minister with the concurrence of the Director may issue detailed obligatory specifications of animal enclosures for main and isolation accommodation through a Government notice, which shall be updated from time to time as the Minister with the concurrence of the Director may deem fit and the said specifications shall be published in the Gazette. Pet sitters and pet boarders shall ensure that they are compliant with any notice issued in terms of this sub-regulation.
(4)Any enclosure in the accommodation shall be constructed in a way as to prevent the escape of animals. Suitable equipment for the capture of escaped animals shall be present in the accommodation. Personnel working within the accommodation shall be trained to use such equipment, and records of this training shall be available upon request by the Director.
(5)Pet sitters and pet boarders shall ensure that enclosures are designed in a way that animals cannot be harmed or injured. 7 8 [ S.L. 439.26 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS
(6)Pet sitters and pet boarders shall ensure that the enclosure is constructed of non-porous material and is appropriately treated, in particular: (
- a)all exterior wood shall be smooth and treated against wood rot and only non-toxic products shall be used; (
- b)all internal surfaces used in the construction of walls, floors, partition walls, doors and door frames shall be durable, smooth and impervious. There shall be no protruding or rough edges, which are likely to cause an animal to be injured in any way.
(7)Animal enclosures shall be constructed in a way that any inspection on them can be carried out easily. In the case of housing cats in cages on top of each other, the top cages shall be placed in such manner that the floor of the top cage is easily visible.
(8)Enclosures shall open on to secure areas to prevent the escape of animals. Access to the secure areas shall be through a double door lock.
(9)Accessories which are placed inside the animal enclosures shall be suitable for that species.
(10)During the day, light shall be provided to all exercise and sleeping areas in order that all parts are clearly visible.
(11)Ventilation shall be provided to all interior areas without the formation of excessive localised draughts in the sleeping area.
(12)Electrical circuits and electrical devices shall be kept in a manner to prevent animals from being harmed or injured.
(13)Facilities for isolating ill or injured animals shall be made available in the accommodation.
(14)A sink with a constant supply of hot water shall be provided in addition to any wash hand basin.
(15)The Director may require accommodations to introduce those additional measures which he deems necessary to ascertain the health conditions and behaviour of the animals such as closed-circuit television systems (CCTV): Provided that such measures shall be determined by the Director following an analysis of the specific circumstances as the case may be. STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 8.
(1)The maximum number of animals to be boarded in any accommodation shall be determined by the accommodation available and in accordance with the standards which may be issued from time to time by the Minister in concurrence with the Director by means of a Government notice and published in the Gazette. Accommodation capacity.
(2)Each animal shall be provided with a separate enclosure. Animals from the same household may share an enclosure of adequate size and not of detriment to the welfare of the animal and this with the written permission of the owner of the animals. In case of animals sharing an enclosure, separate beds for each animal shall be provided. 9.
(1)All reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent the outbreak and spread of diseases. No animal which is infected or is suffering from a contagious disease or could reasonably be suspected of having come into contact with any other infected animal or suffering from a contagious disease, or which is infested with parasites shall be brought into the accommodation.
(2)Animals shall be vaccinated in accordance with these regulations at least ten
(10)days before the first
(1)day in the accommodation but less than one
(1)year from date of departure from the accommodation, in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions of vaccinations.
(3)Dogs shall be vaccinated against canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, canine parvovirus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus and other relevant diseases on the advice of a veterinary surgeon. Cats shall be vaccinated against infectious feline enteritis, feline respiratory diseases, feline leukaemia virus and other relevant diseases on the advice of a veterinary surgeon or as instructed in relation to cats and dogs, from time to time, by the Director for Veterinary Services.
(4)The pet sitter or pet boarder shall contact the owner of the animal, the contact person and a veterinary surgeon immediately when any animal in the accommodation falls ill, is injured or dies during their stay at the accommodation and the animal shall receive appropriate care and treatment without delay: Provided that if the owner, or contact person, is not reachable, the pet sitter or pet boarder shall always act in the best interest of the animal under his care and on the advice of the veterinary surgeon.
(5)A first aid kit for use on animals shall be kept and stocked at all times at the accommodation. Advice from a veterinary surgeon shall be sought about the content of such kit. Health. 9 10 STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26
(6)Equipment provided for human use shall be stored and cleaned separately from the animals’ equipment.
(7)Food and water containers shall be provided and shall be cleaned and disinfected after each meal. Any discarded food residue shall be disposed of immediately.
(8)Excreta and soiled bedding of the animals shall be collected and stored in impervious containers with close-fitting lids, away from direct sunlight unless another means of disposal is present.
(9)Excreta and soiled bedding of the animals shall be removed from the accommodation at least twice
(2)a week. Such material shall be disposed of in a manner compliant with relevant laws.
(10)Suitable bedding shall be provided which allows the animals to be comfortable and which is capable of being easily and adequately cleaned and disinfected. Bedding material shall be inspected daily and shall be maintained in a clean, parasite-free and dry condition.
(11)Records of the substances used for the prevention of pests including the dates of application shall be kept. Such applications shall be carried out in a manner that shall not harm or injure animals kept at the accommodation. Food and water. 10.
(1)Facilities for the preparation and storage of food shall be provided, in a separate space from the animal enclosures. Animal food shall be stored in labelled closed containers of impervious material.
(2)All animals shall receive adequate amounts of food appropriate to individual needs. Clean water shall be available at all times and changed daily.
(3)Food shall not be kept for excessive periods in the enclosure in order to prevent noxious odours, vermin and insects. Inspections. 11.
(1)Animals shall be under constant supervision by the pet sitters or pet boarders or their staff, and all animals shall be inspected at least once every four
(4)hours.
(2)Competent personnel shall always be present to supervise the animals and deal with emergencies whenever animals are boarded at the accommodation.
(3)Each enclosure within an accommodation shall be clearly STANDARDS FOR OPERATING PET SITTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND PET BOARDING ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CATS AND DOGS [ S.L. 439.26 11 marked and a system shall be in place which ensures that the following relevant information about the animal is available and includes: (
- a)the name, breed and age of the animal and microchip registration number; (
- b)the owner’s name and contact person; (
- c)the date of arrival and date of departure; (
- d)the nutritive requirements; (
- e)the preferred veterinary surgeon; (
- f)if relevant, the health condition and medication requirements; (
- g)if relevant, grooming requirements; (
- h)if relevant, exercise routine. 12.
(1)Accommodations shall have in place suitable emergency precautions and written procedures, and these shall be made known to all the staff, including arrangements for the evacuation of animals. Emergency precautions for accommo-dations.
(2)All entrances and exits shall be left clear of obstructions at all times.
(3)Suitable fire and safety equipment shall be made available, maintained and regularly serviced by a competent person and placed in an adequate place in accordance with specific legislation on this matter.
(4)Emergency numbers of civil protection agencies and veterinary surgeons are to be displayed in a prominent place at the entrance of the accommodation, and in the reception area. 13.
(1)Any person who contravenes or acts in violation of these regulations shall on conviction, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the punishments established in article 45 of the Act.
(2)Where the Director has reasonable cause to believe that an offence against these regulations has been committed and that it would be appropriate to impose an administrative penalty in accordance with article 47 of the Act, the Director shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the said article. Offences, punishments and administrative penalties.