ABTC responds to the Government’s ban on XL Bully type dogs
While action must be taken to protect people and other animals from dangerously out of control dogs, the ABTC disagrees with the continued focus on specific breeds and types rather than a focus on the most significant factors that result in dogs that are out of control and exhibiting behaviour that is dangerous.
Please read full response here
Statement from ABTC regarding complaints received
The ABTC takes every complaint that comes to us from our practitioners, practitioners’ clients, member organisations, and others outside of our member organisations, seriously. Every communication we receive via email or social media channels is responded to; no one is ignored.
You can read the full statement here
BVNA Congress 2023
ABTC Advisory Member, British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) held their annual congress in Telford from 6 – 8 October this year. Celebrating their 50th year, with the theme ‘Empowerment’, this landmark event and high calibre speakers provided opportunities for learning, exploring and connecting with fellow attendees. Championing the veterinary nursing profession, this progressive organisation espouses ‘human and animal welfare’ as a core value. The ABTC was proud to attend the event as an exhibitor and thrilled to support ABTC Trustee, Nikki McLeod as a congress speaker. Read more ..
Statement on Augusto Deoliveira’s dog handling practices
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) wishes to express its deep concern of the dog handling practices demonstrated by Augusto Deoliveira, commonly known as the “Dog Daddy”.
You can read the statement here
Shock collars
‘Shock collars cause pain to the animal as part of the training process. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council believes deliberately causing pain is both ethically wrong and ineffective as a means of training an animal when training by reward is both more effective and kinder. We fully support the proposed ban on their sale and use’ Chris Laurence, ABTC Trustee
Please see ABTC’s statement on shock collars here
ABTC Member RSPCA have a call to action to ‘Ban the use of shock collars’
The PAW Report
The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report is the UK’s largest annual assessment of pet wellbeing.
When the PAW Report launched in 2011, it became the first overarching means of identifying, assessing and monitoring the wellbeing of companion animals and how well their 5 Welfare Needs are being met. While the introduction of the Animal Welfare Acts in 2006 placed a legal ‘duty of care’ for all pet owners to meet their pet’s Welfare Needs, there was no accompanying Government surveillance, and therefore, before the PAW Report, no means of knowing if this was being achieved on a nationwide scale.
Each year PDSA works with leading market research company, YouGov, to survey nationally representative samples of pet dog, cat and rabbit owners, providing insight into animal welfare issues, estimating pet population numbers, and understanding how people care for their pets. In 2023, as in previous years, we also surveyed veterinary professionals to gather their thoughts and opinions about key welfare issues.
The PAW Report can be found here
ABTC
Please click on this statement for details on Ensuring Consistency of Practitioner Standards
UKAS
UKAS is the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. They are appointed by government, to assess and accredit organisations that provide services including certification, testing, inspection and calibration.
At a special meeting of the Council it was agreed that ABTC should make an application to UKAS for accreditation. This marks a significant step forward in the drive to establish ABTC as the animal behaviour and training sector regulator as UKAS accreditation is an important element in government recognition.
Trustees have been working hard to prepare for this moment and although it will be a lengthy and detailed process, there is a determination to succeed. Arrangements are now being made for the preliminary inspection which is expected to happen early in the new year.
ABTC are now members of NEWC (National Equine Welfare Council)
NEWC was formed in 1977 and its mission is to protect the welfare of the horse, pony, donkey and mule by ensuring that everyone who has an interest or association with an equine makes its health and welfare the overriding factor in all decision making.
If you would like to find out more about NEWC their website is https://newc.co.uk/
ABTC Newsletters
ABTC issues a Newsletter twice a year. If you would like to read them, please click the links below.
Please be aware that we no longer send newsletters by email, but they will continue to be available on this page.
