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Retail
sale of animal livestock
- All livestock sold should be in good health as far as
can be reasonably determined without veterinary inspection.
- No animal with an obvious significant abnormality, which
would seriously reduce its quality of life, should be offered
for sale. If in doubt veterinary advice should be sought.
- Fish should be caught in such a way as to reduce the stress
induced and ensure no physical damage occurs to the animal.
- Every reasonable effort should be made to ensure that
the customer purchases livestock suitable for the aquarium
or pond for which it is intended. Due regard should be given
to the time the aquaria/pond has been established and the
stocking, both in terms of species and density, when offering
advice.
To enable staff to fulfil this requirement a full range
of books for reference should be available. Less experienced
staff should be encouraged to consult a senior member
of staff whenever they are uncertain.
(Under no circumstances should a brand new aquaria or
pond be established and stocked full immediately. If asked
to do this the retailer should advise the customer as
to the inadvisability of this course of action and explain
why he must refuse to do so and if necessary refer to
the 'Customers Charter').
- Particular attention should be paid to informing the customers
of the risks associated with any potentially harmful or
venomous species. This information should include First
Aid procedures.
- Transport of livestock sold to customers in a retail outlet
Fish or other aquatic organisms should be sold in containers
suitable for the journey to be undertaken and thus ensure
they arrive in good health. Special regard should be paid
to the climatic conditions and length of journey.
The containers should:
- i. contain a sufficient oxygen supply for the organisms
for the duration of their journey;
- ii. contain an appropriate quantity of water;
- iii. have sufficient insulation to prevent large fluctuations
in temperate;
- iv. be covered to exclude light. Fish which may be
aggressive to one another should be packed separately.
It may be necessary to prevent these fish from having
any visual contact.
- The new owners of fish should be very carefully instructed
in the technique required to acclimatise fish to their aquaria/pond.
- 'After sales' advice should be offered to customers who
purchase livestock.
- Accurate instructions on the care and welfare of the animal
purchased should be given to the customer at the time of
any sale as appropriate.
- No animal should be sold to any person under the age of
16 years who is unknown to the licensee unless that person
is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or provides
appropriate written consent.
Subsequent sales to a juvenile less than 16 years (but
over 12 years) of age who is known to the licensee can
be carried out in the absence of a parent or legal guardian
or appropriate written consent, provided that the licensee
is satisfied as far as possible that:
- i. the parent/guardian would not object to the acquisition;
- ii. the juvenile is sufficiently knowledgeable as
to the needs, care and nature of the species acquired.
- iii. the juvenile's intention towards the acquisition
is consistent with the well-being of the animal concerned.
- No venomous or potentially harmful species should be sold
to anyone under 16 years of age.
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