FOI request (FOI205307)

Cats

Requested Mon 23 January 2017
Responded  Mon 23 January 2017

I am trying to locate which councils have issued licences for the ownership of and will allow F1 Savannah Cats or Wild Cats such as servals, caracal, bobcats in the home outwith a 'licensed enclosure' in the UK. I am also trying to discern what your requirements are for a DWA Licence in relation to felines. In terms of the Freedom of Information Act of 2000, I would like to know the following: 1. Are any properties/owners within your council region licensed for dangerous wild animals relating to felines? 2. If so, does this licence extend to cover the home? 3. If it does cover the home, what conditions must be met by the Licence-holder? 4. What are the requirements for the licensed enclosure? 5. Are your licence-holders required to be approved by DEFRA for transporting the cat to the vets under the "Approved-Carrying Agent Licence" which DEFRA issue to enable them to get their license? a. If not, why not? b. What conditions do you have for the veterinary care of F1 Savannah cats/ wild animals and how do you ensure that these are abided by? c. How do you monitor the method in which these cats are transported from the enclosure into the home? Are there basic requirements? 6. I would like to know what the basic requirements are for a Dangerous Wild Animal licence is in your area and what conditions MUST be met? 7. Do the enclosures have to be sunken into the ground to prevent digging? 8. Do the enclosures have to be built from metal or wood? 9. Is there a minimum mesh gauge which you deem acceptable for keeping wild animals and their hybrid offspring and what kind of structure it is formed in? a. Does this mesh have to be doubled i.e. both sides of the wood? 10. Do you deem a lock on a window and double doors entering the home a sufficient method of security of these animals in the home? a. If not, why not and what would need to be done for the home to be deemed secure? 11. If the home is licensed for these animals - what has been done to be approved as a secure area for these cats in order for more people to gain the same licence approval. 12. If the home is licensed for these animals, at what point do these animals have to be transported to their enclosure to live out their lives or is there no upper age limit e.g. an F1 kitten that has been weaned then has to live within an enclosure or by the age of 6 months old. 13. What other requirements would you place on a feline DWA application for an F1 Savannah and/ or Serval? We are consistently met with, "it is up to the veterinary officer at the time of the inspection to deem what is suitable". Surely you have basic requirements that can be replicated by new owners to obtain the same approval. Each VO will have different ideas on the capabilities, basic requirements in terms of space and enrichment that is required for these animals. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would appreciate you answering these questions so that I can look to moving forward with some kind of equal opportunities with the government (DEFRA) for the owners of these animals and a reduction in discrimination due to the area you live or which VO you are assigned.  

Response

Hastings Borough Council have no licences for Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA) of any description and have had no enquiries for such animals. should such a request be made we would engage our appointed vet to give us the advice for safe ownership.