COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 08, 2021

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

That the Chief Executive draw up and publish a county guideline for animal shelter standards, having regard to the international Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) shelter guidelines, which shall be used in relation to all future dog pound services. The guideline shall include details on oversight and accountability as well as a complaints procedure and shall provide for regular inspections with outcomes to be reported in terms of compliance with the guidelines.

REPORT:

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 applies to all premises, with the exception of local authority dog pounds, at which 6 or more female dogs which are more than 6 months old and are capable of being used for breeding purpose are kept. The Act therefore applies to rescues/shelters that house dogs, boarding kennels, as well as to dog breeding establishments that meet the criteria. Guidelines, in the form of the Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines of July 2018, already exist for such establishments. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act is enforced by local authorities.

Guidelines for tenderers for Dog Pound services are provided by way of a specfication in the tender documents. In drawing up the specification for the tender for Dog Pound services, South Dublin County Council has regard to and has considered the Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines of July 2018, the standards of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (UK based) and the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, 2010).

The documentation for the Invitation to Tender for the Provisions of Dog Pound and Related Services for the South Dublin Administrative Area has been published on eTenders.ie on the 4^th January 2021 and the tenders are due to be returned by 10th February.