Provide and manage accommodation for animals

This standard is about providing and managing the accommodation for animals, whether this accommodation is existing, temporary or new, and for either day or overnight boarding. It covers the type of accommodation, hygiene and bio-security and monitoring the condition of animals in the accommodation.

Users of the standard will need to confirm that their practice reflects up-to-date information and policies, and that they work within the limits of their authority, expertise, training, competence and experience.

This standard is for those with responsibility for providing and managing animal accommodation.

1. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
2. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
3. assess the potential risks to health and safety in providing and managing accommodation for animals
4. monitor and confirm that hygiene and bio-security measures are established and maintained, in accordance with organisational practices and the relevant legislation
5. assess how the needs of animals may be provided for while under your duty of care
6. provide and manage relevant accommodation for the animal and its requirements
7. confirm that accommodation is prepared and is clean and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the animal
8. check the environmental conditions in the accommodation and confirm that they can be adjusted to suit the animals' requirements
9. check that the personal protective equipment (PPE) is relevant for the activity
10. provide animals with the required stimulation, companionship and enrichment where practical
11. check that accommodation is correctly labelled with the animals’ details and that records are completed in accordance with organisational procedures and the relevant legislation
12. restrict access to the accommodation according to the animals' requirements and organisational procedures
13. confirm that animals are provided with the necessary care according to their requirements
14. monitor the animals and take the required action when any problems with accommodation or with companions are identified
15. maintain the security of the animals to protect them from injury, theft or escape
16. manage waste in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policies

1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
2. your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
3. how to identify hazards and assess risks to health and safety when providing and managing accommodation for animals
4. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
5. how the needs of animals under your duty of care may be assessed and addressed
6. how to provide and manage accommodation for the animals in your care, and what factors should be considered
7. the required environmental conditions for the animals in your care and the way that these can be adjusted
8. how to select the cleaning methods and materials that are required for the accommodation, the animals and their requirements
9. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant for the activity
10. the relevant legal and organisational measures for the handling and storage of potentially harmful substances
11. the organisational procedure for rectifying any damage to accommodation
12. how to maintain the safety and security of the animal’s accommodation
13. who is authorised to access the animal’s accommodation
14. how and when animal accommodation should be monitored, and how animals’ requirements influence such monitoring
15. the different types and levels of care provided in animal accommodation
16. the behaviour that indicates that animals may be having problems and the action to take
17. the importance of seeking veterinary assistance where necessary
18. how to minimise stress in animals when in their accommodation
19. how to handle, store and dispose of different types of waste, in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational procedures
20. the records that need to be kept in relation to the provision and management of accommodation for animals, and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
21. the importance of maintaining records in contact tracing for infectious diseases, including notifiable diseases

Provide accommodation for the animals in your care to cover the following requirements:

1. species
2. breed and/or size of animal/social groupings
3. age
4. sex/reproductive status
5. health
6. feeding requirements
7. purpose
8. other animals
9. handling and exercise requirements
10. temperament
11. bedding
12. enrichment
13. safety
14. security
15. medical or other special needs

Current animal welfare legislation:

• England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
• Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
• Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)

Environmental conditions:

• light
• temperature
• humidity
• ventilation
• noise
• vibrations
• weather conditions

Damage to accommodation:

• mesh
• locks
• grills
• doors
• frames
• glass
• internal fittings