Pet Shops
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Licence summary
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To run a business selling pet animals from premises you
need a licence from the local authority. This includes all
commercial selling of pet animals, including pet shops and
businesses selling animals over the internet.
We try to make sure that all animals are well looked after, that
pets will be looked after once they are sold, that the layout of
any facilities are suitable and that staff are trained.
Licences can only be issued for one year, and should be on
display.
We do not licence one day bird sales because we are unable to
issue one day licences, and often the facilities cannot meet the
conditions for bird welfare that we would apply to pet shops.
Veterinary inspection is arranged for new premises and sometimes
during the year, particularly where obvious problems are found to
exist or complaints are received.
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Eligibility Criteria
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Applicants for a pet shop licence must not be
disqualified from keeping a pet shop. A fee,
determined by the Local Authority, will be payable on
application.
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Regulation Summary
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Read the legislation controlling sale of animals as
pets
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Application Evaluation Process
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Local authorities must have regard to the following when
considering an application for a pet shop licence:
- that animals will be kept in suitable accommodation, for
example in regards to temperature, size, lighting, ventilation and
cleanliness
- adequate food and drink will be provided to the animals and
they will be visited at suitable intervals
- that any mammalian animals will not be sold too young
- that steps are taken to prevent disease spreading among the
animals
- that adequate fire and emergency provisions are in place
Conditions can be attached to a licence to ensure that the above
are complied with. See foot of page for indicative stocking
densities.
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Will Tacit Consent Apply?
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No. It is in the public interest that the
authority must process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from Malvern Hills District Council within a
reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this
online here
if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact
details below.
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Apply online
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Online facilities are provided by the national
business link website. For this service to work, you must
have the latest version of Acrobat Reader installed on your
computer. Please note that these forms must not be used for postal
applications.
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Apply through the Business Link website to run a pet shop
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Application to change a pet shop licence
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| Apply by Post |
Telephone or e-mail us to ask for an application form, or
download an application
form. Send the completed form with application
fee and proof of insurance to us at the Animal Welfare
Department, Malvern Hills District Council, The Council Offices,
Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3AF |
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Failed Application Redress
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Please contact Malvern Hills District Council
in the first instance
An applicant whose application is refused can
appeal to the local Magistrates' Court.
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Licence Holder Redress
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Please contact Malvern Hills District Council
in the first instance
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against
a condition can appeal to a local Magistrates' Court.
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Consumer Complaint
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We would always advise that in the event of a
complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you -
preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that
has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give
you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
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Other Redress
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Anyone suffering nuisance due to noise, smells
or similar because of a commercial premises should contract the
Worcestershire Hub phone number 01684 862151
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Trade Associations
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Pet Care Trust (PCT)
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Get help
at:
Worcestershire Regulatory Services
(Licensing)
Malvern Hills District Council, The Council House
Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3AF DX: 17608
Malvern
Customer Contact Centre 01684 862151
Email: wrs.licensing@worcsregservices.gov.uk (please
start the subject heading with MHDC enquiry)
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SCHEDULE 1 STOCKING
DENSITIES – CAGED BIRDS
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FLOOR AREA (sq.cm)
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FLOOR AREA (sq.cm)
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Length (cm)
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Single
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Each Additional
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Length (cm)
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Single
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Each Additional
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Parrots, Parakeets, Budgerigars,
Etc
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African Grey
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1250
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625
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Parakeet
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up to 25
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1000
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200
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Amazon
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up to 35
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1000
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500
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(inc. Conure
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25-35
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1000
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250
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35-40
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1250
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625
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Kakariki, Rosella
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over 35
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1400
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450
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over 40
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2000
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750
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Parrot
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up to 30
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800
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275
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Budgerigar
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650
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200
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(incl. Caique, Pronus
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30-35
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1250
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625
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Cockatiel
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1000
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250
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Senegal, Meyer’s)
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over 35
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1500
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750
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Cockatoo:
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up to 35
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1250
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625
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Parrotlet
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400
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200
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35-40
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2000
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1000
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Hanging Parrot
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450
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250
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over 40
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2750
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1325
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Lories and
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up to 22.5
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800
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250
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Lovebird
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750
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200
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Lorikeets
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22.5-30
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1250
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375
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Macaw
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up to 40
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1250
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625
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over 30
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2000
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500
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40-60
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2250
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1000
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over 60
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3750
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1200
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Seedeaters
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Canary
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650
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250
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Quail
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up to 15
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450
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250
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Cardinal
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1000
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250
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15-20
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650
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375
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Dove and Pigeon
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up to 22.5
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450
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250
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over 20
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1000
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500
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over 22.5
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1250
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625
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Weaver
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up to 15
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650
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150
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Finch (inc Mannikin
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up to 12.5
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650
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100
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over 15
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1000
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200
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Silverbill Sparrow
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12.5-17.5
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750
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150
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Whydah (male
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up to 40
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1000
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200
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Waxbill)
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over 17.5
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1000
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200
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with full tail)
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over 40
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2000
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275
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Grossbeak
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1000
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200
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female and male in non-breeding plumage as
Weaver
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Softbills
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Barbet
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up to 20
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1250
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275
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Starling (inc
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up to 20
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1500
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375
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Over 20
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1400
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450
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small mynahs)
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over 20
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1000
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250
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Bulbil, Fruitsucker
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1000
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250
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Tanager, Sugar bird
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up to 15
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1000
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250
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Fairy bluebird,
Oriole
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1250
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250
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over 15
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1000
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250
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Jay, Jay-thrush
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up to 25
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1500
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250
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Thrush (inc Shama)
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1000
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375
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(Laughing thrush)
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25-35
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2000
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500
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Toucan
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3750
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1000
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Magpie
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over 35
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4000
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1000
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Toucanette, Aracari
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2000
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625
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Mynah hill
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1500
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250
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Tlouraco
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2000
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625
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Pekin Robin, Mesia
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1000
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200
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Zosterops
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750
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100
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N.B. All birds should be housed in
accommodation which allows the full spreading of wings.
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SCHEDULE 2
STOCKING DENSITIES – SMALL MAMMALS
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SPECIES
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Minimum
Floor Area*
(sq.cm)
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Minimum
Cage
Height (cm)
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SPECIES
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Minimum Floor
Area*
(sq.cm)
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Minimum
Cage Height
(cm)
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Single
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Each Additional
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Single
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Each Additional
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Mice
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200
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50
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20
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Guinea Pigs
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700
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175
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20
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Hamsters
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300
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75
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20
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Rabbits
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2000
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500
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50
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Gerbils
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300
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75
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20
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Kittens
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2000
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500
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50
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Rats
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500
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125
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20
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Puppies
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10000
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2500
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50
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Minimum floor areas apply
to young stock. For adult stock offered for sale the
dimensions should be doubled. For advice on the age of stock,
you are advised to contact the veterinary surgeon
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N.B. The range of
behavioural opportunities for many of the animals listed in the
above Schedule will be increased by enriching the environment with
such accessories as shredded paper, pieces of wood, toilet rolls,
lengths of piping etc.
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The installation of
shelving in rabbit cages is particularly beneficial to rabbits as
they like to spend a lot of time off the cage floor
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SCHEDULE 3
STOCKING DENSITIES – ORNAMENTAL FISH
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It is virtually impossible to determine the
quantity of fish to be kept in a tank purely on weight / volume or
numbers of fish / volume.
The variation in system design, husbandry
techniques and types of fish involved would render any such method
too simple to be useful or too complicated to be practical
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The maintenance of water quality standards is
essential and is a simple but effective way to determine stocking
densities.
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WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
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(1mg/litre – 1ppm)
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Cold Water
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*Dissolved Oxygen
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min
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6mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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0.2mg/litre
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*Free Ammonia
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-max
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0.02mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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50mg/litre above
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ambient tapwater
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Tropical Fish
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*Dissolved Oxygen
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min
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6mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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0.2mg/litre
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*Free Ammonia
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-max
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0.02mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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50mg/litre above
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ambient tapwater
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Tropical Marine Species
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*Dissolved Oxygen
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min
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5.5mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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0.125mg/litre
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*Free Ammonia
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-max
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0.01mg/litre
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Nitrate
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max
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40mg/litre This is an
absolute
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*pH (tropical marine
only)
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min
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8.1
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figure, it does not relate
to ambient tapwater
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*These parameters should be checked
first. Only if a problem exists with these tests is it
necessary to check nitrate levels.
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SCHEDULE 4
STOCKING DENSITIES – OTHER SPECIES
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Accommodation must be provided
appropriate to size, age and type of species.
Further advice may be
obtained from organisations such as the Pet Trade and Industry
Association, the Universities’ Federation for Animal Welfare, The
British Herpetological Society etc.
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The Association of
District Councils
26 Chapter Street
London SW1P 4NB
Tel 071 233 6868
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The British Veterinary
Association
7 Mansfield Street
London W1M 0A7
Tel 071 636 6541
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The Pet Trade and Industry
Association Limited
103 High Street
Bedford MK40 1NE
Tel 0234 273933
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