News

ABTC invites applications for Trustees

As required by our constitution, each year a number of ABTC Trustees have to stand down at the AGM. And, if they want to continue on the Board of Trustees, stand for re-election.  This is also the opportunity for anyone who would like to join the Board to stand for election.

If you are interested in joining the Board of Trustees please click here for further details.

Anyone who supports the goals of ABTC is welcome to apply. You do not need to be an ABTC practitioner. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our board, to provide a better representation of our members. We therefore encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. For those of you who are ABTC practitioners we are especially keen to recruit Animal Trainers, Animal Training Instructors and Animal Behaviour Technicians.

If you would like to apply for election, please click here for the application/skills-audit and details of what you should include with your application.

Details of people wishing to apply will be circulated to Members of ABTC who are entitled to a vote and elected Trustees will take up their role at the AGM on 11 July 2024.

                                         Applications must be received by 19 Apil 2024, please.

The Charity Commission explains what is involved in being a Trustee. You can find details  here

You can find details of the ABTC structure here

If you have any questions not answered in the documents linked here, please email Val on admin@abtc.org.uk

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗦𝗟 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀

The Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) is thrilled to announce a new service for our British Sign Language (BSL) users. Whether you’re seeking behaviour or training help for your animal or you’re an ABTC registered practitioner, we’ve got you covered!

🛈 For Animal Carers: If you’re a BSL user looking for training or behaviour support for your animal, we’ve made it easier and more accessible. ABTC practitioners can now arrange for a BSL video interpreter to join your training or behavioural sessions, ensuring clear communication and understanding. This service is available for both in-person and online appointments.  

To find registered ABTC practitioners near you, visit our Practitioner Directory at 

https://abtc.org.uk/practitioners/

🛈 For ABTC Practitioners: Registered ABTC practitioners who are BSL users or work with BSL clients, we’re here to support you too! Through our partnership with Sign Solutions, you can access BSL video interpreters for your training or behaviour appointments. This service includes both pre-booked appointments with your clients, and on-demand virtual signing support, making your sessions more inclusive and effective. 

The ABTC believes in fostering inclusivity within the animal behaviour and training sector. This new service is a significant step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of language, can access the best care and support for their animal companions.

 Find out more about this service and how to access it on our website


– For BSL animal carers https://abtc.org.uk/bsl-owners/
– For ABTC registered practitioners https://abtc.org.uk/bsl-practitioners/

Response to CCAB Certification Ltd dated 19 December 

The recent communication from CCAB Certification Ltd dated 19 December has come to the attention of the Trustees. We wish to address several key issues raised therein, particularly concerning our relationship with ASAB Acc and the broader implications for the animal behaviour and training sector.

Read the full response here

🎄✨ Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year! ✨🎄

The ABTC extends our warmest wishes to all our valued followers and supporters.  Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, enjoying other holiday traditions, or simply relishing the spirit of this season, we hope these days are filled with peace, joy, and love for you and your loved ones.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout this year; it is thanks to your support we continue to drive our goal to set and maintain the highest standards in the animal behaviour and training sector.  As we step into the new year, we remain dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusivity, accessibility, and professional integrity in all that we do.  Our focus is unwavering: to unite the animal behaviour and training sector, working with the veterinary community. Together, we continue to focus on our collective aim to improve animal welfare, by ensuring that every animal undergoing training and behaviour therapy, as well as their caregivers, receive the highest standard of support.

ABTC recognises and celebrates the rich tapestry of religious views, backgrounds, and cultures that make up our incredible animal behaviour and training community.  In this season of goodwill, let’s remember the beauty of our diversity and the strength it brings to our collective aim, and be united.  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of animals and those who care for them.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.  Here’s to a prosperous, fulfilling, and impactful 2024!

 

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲!

As we approach the festive season, a time of giving and reflection, we at the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) are reaching out to our valued supporters with a heartfelt appeal. The post-COVID-19 era has ushered in unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the field of animal behaviour and training. With a significant rise in animal ownership across various species, we’ve witnessed an increased demand for behavioural and training support and, sadly, a surge in animal relinquishment. Couple with other challenges for caregivers, now more than ever, the public needs the expertise and guidance of knowledgeable trainers, behaviour therapists, and expert witnesses.

Your contribution can make a huge difference
Imagine the impact if our valued supporters could contribute. Even a small donation, as little as £1, can collectively amount to several thousand pounds. This significant sum can drive our UKAS accreditation project forward, marking a substantial step toward improved animal welfare. 

How to donate
Donating is simple and takes only a moment, but the impact of your gift will resonate far beyond this festive season. To make your donation, please visit https://abtc.org.uk/donations/ or contact us at info@abtc.org.uk for more information on how to contribute.

Thank you for considering this appeal. Your support means the world to us and the countless animals and their carers that benefit from our collective expertise and care.

Warm regards, ABTC Trustees

Read more here

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 toBan 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/

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