Council imposes conditions to persons who offer animals for sale as pets from commercial premises. Such conditions surround the need to obtain a permit from Council's Environment and Health Department. A permit is granted for twelve (12) months from 1st July to 30th June next, being that financial year.
General requirements for operating a Pet Shop include:
Location
- Approval is required under the Burdekin Shire's Planning Scheme.
- The Pet Shop cannot be situated alongside premises used for the preparation or sale of food for human consumption.
- The Pet Shop must not share an air conditioning system with any premises used for the preparation or sale of food for human consumption.
- A nuisance is not to be caused to any neighbouring properties.
- Animals cannot be displayed or exposed for sale outside the pet shop.
Public Health Provisions
Enclosures for the animals need to be provided and maintained to ensure that
they:
- Are clean and in a sanitary condition.
- Prevent any animal from escaping from the premises.
- Be kept within the curtilage of the pet shop.
- Be in a good state of repair.
- Prevent injury of the animal and interference by unauthorised persons.
- Permit regular cleaning of all internal and all external surfaces and regular checking of animals within.
- Be impervious and able to be easily and readily cleaned and effectively disinfected.
- Ensure the comfort of animals.
- Be sprayed or dusted with insecticide or larvicide or disinfectant, to the manufacturer's instructions to control flies, insect and/or disease.
- Except for aquariums, be treated with effective and appropriate disinfectants at least once per week.
- Be cleaned and disinfected and if necessary insecticide or larvicide applied, prior to the introduction of replacement animals.
Collection and Disposal of Waste Waters, Manure and Refuse
Waste waters from washing down of floors, bench surfaces, enclosures, fish tanks or washing animals is to be cleaned at least once each day and may be discharged to sewer in accordance with Council's Trade Waste Policy or in non-sewered areas, into adequate sub-surface disposal trenches; or any alternative method approved by an authorised person.
Storage and Dispensing of Feed
The owner of a Pet Shop should ensure:
- Feed is stored in fly and vermin proof receptacles.
- Feed and water containers used by the animals must be of impervious, smooth construction, non-toxic and able to be easily cleaned and disinfected.
- Feed that has spoiled or deteriorated must be removed and disposed of in an approved refuse container.
- Spilled feed must be immediately collected and disposed of in an approved refuse container.
General Maintenance
The owner of a Pet Shop should maintain the premises so that:
- All surfaces such as walls, floors, ceiling, fixtures and fittings are at all times kept clean and are disinfected when contaminated by animal wastes.
- All cloths, towels or material used in the pet shop are maintained in a clean condition and washed in effective disinfectant.
- At all times the premises is kept free of flies, fleas and vermin.
Humane Provisions
In addition to management requirements under any other law, the owner of a Pet Shop must:
- Provide accommodation and equipment which suits the physical and the behavioural requirements of animals held.
- Provide protection for animals from adverse natural or artificial environmental conditions, other animals and interference from humans.
- Provide sufficient space for animals so as to prevent overcrowding and to allow them to stand, move around freely, stretch fully, rest, swim or fly, as appropriate to the species.
- Provide sufficient quantities of appropriate food and water to maintain good health of the animal.
- Protect animals from disease, distress, injury and excess heat.
- Provide prompt veterinary or other appropriate treatment in cases of injury.
- Maintain hygiene, including vermin and pest control of the premises, and health of the animals held.
- Supervise daily feeding, watering and inspection of animals adequate to ensure their welfare.
Animals Not Permitted To Be Sold
The following animals must not be kept, held or sold at the Pet Shop:
- Pigs.
- Horses.
- Cattle.
- Sheep.
- Goats.
- Rabbits.
- Animals believed to be diseased or showing signs of sickness.
For further information please contact Council.