At a press conference, new regulations were announced to improve standards for local services provided by pet groomers, sitters, and boarders. These regulations, effective for two months, aim for proper certification and licensing in the industry.
Minister Anton Refalo, together with Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said and Director Joseph John Vella, emphasized that this law, also an electoral promise, aims to regulate and ensure standards for pet animal welfare boarding, sitting and grooming services.
Minister Refalo said that the law introduces definitions such as residence, pet boarder and pet sitter. Public consultations were held with the Animal Welfare Council and the Commissioner for Animal Welfare to draft these regulations. The Minister affirmed the commitment to continue improving the sector.
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said emphasized the importance of these regulations for service providers and newcomers, ensuring that they have clear guidelines to operate effectively. He recognized the excellence of the current groomers, sitters and boarders in the country and assured that the regulations will set the necessary standards for offering these services and keeping pets.
He concluded by saying that the announced regulations ensure that pet owners can be sure that their pets will receive proper treatment.
Director Joseph John Vella added that these regulations aim to regularize establishments and enable monitoring and enforcement where necessary, benefiting the welfare of domestic animals.
The 2024 Regulations on Standards for the Operation of Grooming Establishments for Domestic Animals and the 2024 Regulations on Standards for the Operation of Pet Sitting and Pet Boarding Establishments for Cats and Dogs, will take effect in two months and will be part of the Animal Welfare Act ( Ch. 439).
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