England Implementation Plan
Companion animals
Various companion animal interests (animal keepers, rescue groups, feed companies, retailers and welfare societies) have organised themselves into a Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) to work with others to see how the vision of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (AHWS) for Great Britain can be taken forward for the different species.
For CASC’s Terms of Reference, click on the “working definitions” link on the homepage of its website. CASC held its inaugural meeting on 18 June 2007 and the minutes can also be found on its website.
Within CASC, various groups, led by different organisations, are taking forward work for the different species. A Dog and Cat Health and Welfare Strategy is being developed, led by the Pet Advisory Council (PAC), who have produced a draft document to be published in 2008.
The independent advisory body – the Companion Animal Welfare Council – represents companion animal interests on the EIG’s AWDS Subgroup overseeing delivery of the Animal Welfare Delivery Strategy (AWDS) for England 
(168 KB), a Defra-led strategy making sense of what the AHWS means for welfare.
EIG17 Open Meeting 14 May 2008
At the EIG’s 17th Open Meeting, representatives of the Companion Animal Sector Council presented latest developments.
Dog and Cat Health and Welfare Strategy for England.
The Pet Advisory Council (PAC) presented a near final draft of the Dog and Cat Health and Welfare Strategy for England. The strategy presents a vision for dog and cat health and welfare. It then defines 10 key aims for the sector to realise that vision. There are 33 actions to help deliver these aims, each to be championed by a representative from within the sector.
The strategy document and subsequent discussions can be found with the minutes of the EIG17 Open Meeting.
Bird Health and Welfare Strategy
The Chairman of Parrot Society UK presented the bird sector’s on-going work to produce a bird health and welfare strategy.
The presentation can be viewed from the minutes of the EIG17 Open Meeting.
Health and Welfare Strategy for Rabbits
EIG member Peter Scott presented on the work of the rabbit sector. The sector had produced a draft health and welfare strategy document which would be shared with the EIG in the coming months.
The presentation can be viewed from the minutes of the EIG17 Open Meeting.
Liverpool University Surveillance Project
Dr Alan Radford and Dr Karen Coyne, of Liverpool University presented their disease surveillance project that they had started in the small animal sector. The project seeks to monitor disease, infection or other indices, such that action can be taken when necessary in a defined population.
The presentation can be viewed from the minutes of the EIG17 Open Meeting.
Page last modified:
8 July, 2008