A new campaign is calling for first aid qualifications to be mandatory for all UK pet professionals.
The Safe Pets and People campaign’s aim is to highlight the fact that currently walkers, dog groomers and pet sitters do not have to carry an animal first aid certificate.
The campaign is being led by the iPET Network (International Pet Education and Training), a national qualification provider and Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, CCEA Regulation and Qualifications Wales. The campaign is also being backed by the RSPCA, The Groomers Spotlight and Street Paws.
Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of iPET Network, said: “First aid is not an expensive course and it doesn’t have to be an iPET Network course that you do, we are not saying that and this isn’t about selling our courses or making money.
“We are doing this because time and again we hear stories from our industries where something should have been done sooner, which really isn’t good enough when people place their pets in your care.”
Dog groomer Helen Storer runs Jango’s grooming parlour in Northampton and credits the dog first aid training she has received with saving the life of her cockapoo Jasper, after he began to choke on a rawhide chew.
She said: “The training has been invaluable and I have the knowledge to use at work too, particularly when we get elderly dogs who may become unwell while they are having a groom.
“I think it gives my clients faith in me and it definitely gives me faith in myself and the confidence to step in when things go wrong.”
