Animals are protected from cruelty and mistreatment by the Animal Welfare (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2012. Follow this link to view the Ordinance.
This legislation protects animals from acts of cruelty and neglect, and places a duty on owners to care for any animal that they keep on the basis of the five freedoms which are -
- FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST by access to a diet to maintain full health and vigour and free access to water.
- FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE by prevention or by the provision of timely veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
- FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
- FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR by providing sufficient space, environmental enrichment and companionship, whether that be of the animal's own kind, a compatible species, and especially in the case of dogs, human company.
If you have reasonable grounds to believe that an animal is being mistreated, contact us.
For more information on application forms for licences click here.
Welfare codes
- The States Veterinary Office has issued welfare codes on the care of the following animals:
- Cats
- Chinchillas
- Degus
- Dogs
- Gerbils
- Guinea pigs
- Hamsters
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Mice
- Pet birds
- Reptiles & amphibians
- Follow this link for further information.
Animal welfare at community shows/competitions
- The organiser(s) of public shows/competitions must ensure that they are aware of their obligations under the Animal Welfare Ordinance (Guernsey), 2012. Follow this link for more information.
Animal welfare licensing
- The licensing of activities involving animals, under the Animal Welfare Ordinance (Guernsey), 2012, has commenced.
- The licensing of animal related activities will be introduced in phases, which gives businesses and individuals time to adapt and prepare for the new requirements. Stakeholders will be informed of key dates.
- The first phase of licensing will only include Professional Dog Walkers and Commercial Boarding Establishments.
- Please read the Information booklet in the download section of this page.
Animals in greenhouses
- For information on precautions to take in the summer when animals and birds are kept in greenhouses, follow this link.
Calves
Cattle
- Follow this link for information on the minimum standards for tethering cattle.
Hunting
- Hunting is permitted on private land and certain public land and the animals that can be hunted are wild Rabbit, Wood pigeon, Common Pheasant, Grey or English Partridge, Red-Legged or French Partridge, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, Cross-bred Mallard and Greylag Goose.
- Follow this link for further guidance. Follow this link for the Animal Welfare (Slaughter, Killing, Euthanasia etc) (Prescribed Animals) Regulations 2014. Follow this link for The Animal Welfare (Requirements for Slaughter, Killing, Euthanasia, etc) Order 2014.
- These documents provide information on who can hunt, the places where game animals can be hunted, the methods of hunting that can be used and, in certain cases the times of the year when game animals can be hunted (there is a close season for some species). Hunting with dogs and ferrets is permitted and nets and cage traps can be used. All other traps and snares are prohibited.
- The use of firearms is regulated and hunting on public land requires a hunting permit. The permit only allows hunting on some public land (which is listed on the Permit), it does not allow the holder to hunt on all public land. The possession and use of firearms is strictly regulated. Information on shotgun certificates and permits can be obtained from Guernsey Police on 725111. The importation of firearms is also regulated and further information can be obtained from the Guernsey Border Agency on 741417.
Stray animals
- The States Veterinary Office have authorised individuals, including personnel from the GSPCA to seize and detain stray animals.
- A stray is any domestic animal that has wandered or escaped from its normal place of confinement and is not under the supervision or control of its owner or keeper. Wild and feral animals are not strays.
- If an animal is seized as a stray, every effort will be made to identify the owner. Owners can collect an animal from the GSPCA and are encouraged to contribute a donation. If an animal is not claimed within 21 days of being seized it may be rehomed or disposed of.
- A person who finds a stray animal must first make every attempt to return it to its owner. If that is not possible, they can take it to the GSPCA.
Pest Animals
- The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure has designated the following animals as pests - brown rat, house mouse, carrion crow, magpie and feral pigeon. Download 'Identifying Pest Animals'.
- These animals can be controlled, but only using particular methods and in the case of feral pigeons, only by an approved pest controller subject to certain conditions. Certain types of Larsen trap have also been approved to control carrion crows and magpies, but these can only be used by an approved pest controller. Download the 'Code of Practice for the Responsible Use of Larson Traps'.
- Follow this link for further guidance and this link for a information on permitted and prohibited devices to control animals.
Register of Veterinary Practices, Surgeons and Nurses
- The Veterinary Surgery and Animal Welfare Ordinance, 1987 (as amended) requires for there to be a public register of veterinary practices, surgeons and nurses.
- You can register a veterinary practice, surgeon or nurse here: Register of Veterinary Practices, Surgeons and Nurses - Fill in form
- A link to the public register can be found here.
- All visiting veterinary surgeons are reminded that their RCVS accreditation (which is necessary to operate locally as a registered veterinary surgeon) requires them (alongside other requirements) to:
- advise other veterinary surgeons of their involvement with animals belonging to mutual clients,
- ensure that they are provided with relevant medical history in advance of their involvement,
- reciprocally share information regarding the care that they administer and that all information sharing must be carried out in an accountable and timely manner.
- Local veterinary surgeons and practices must cooperate by promptly sharing clinical information relating to animals of mutual clients upon request and ensuring that they receive, and keep, records of information supplied by visiting veterinary surgeons.
