AS THE country enters it's third national lockdown many services and non-essential retailers have had to shut, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants. 

But new government guidance has been given on pet grooming as an essential service.

The Pet Federation Industry announced new guidance for dog grooming saying that pets may be accepted for an appointment where this is necessary for its welfare and not simply for aesthetic reasons.

The full statement from the Pet Federation Industry said: "Groomers may accept a dog to be groomed by appointment where this is necessary for the animals welfare and simply for aesthetic reasons.

"Welfare reasosn could include on vetinary advice for a skin condition or excessive matting causing the pet discomfort. 

"When routine grooming can be delayed without affecting the pet's welfare until the national is eased, it should be put off."

The statement continues to say: "Professional groomers should therefore assess each request for grooming on a case by case basis, using their discretion to judge whether a groom is required to alleviate any suffering the animal might be experiencing."

What about home boarding?

Guidance states that priority Priority should be given to board dogs from households of key workers, or vulnerable people or from a Coronavirus infected or isolating household

Dogs from infected or self-isolating households should not be mixed with others from non-infected households.

What about doggy day care? 

Commercial day care may continue to operate and priority should be given for key workers, and vulnerable people who are unable to make alternative safe arrangements for their dog.

Dogs may be collected from their home or owners may drop off and collect their dogs by appointment only, to ensure clients are able to maintain their social distance from others by only having one client on the premises at a time.

If dogs are brought to site owners should remain in their vehicles until staff are ready to accept their dog with a similar procedure on return.

Home day care may continue to operate and priority should be given for key workers who are unable to make alternative safe arrangements for their dog.

What about dog walkers?

Dog walkers can continue to operate and priority should be given to key workers, and vulnerable people who are unable to make alternative safe arrangements for their dog.

Dogs from Coronavirus infected or self-isolating households may be walked but if doing so they must be walked after dogs from all other households.

What about pet re-homing and rescue organisations?

Rescue and re-homing centres may remain open within COVID restrictions. Adopters are unable to travel to visit/meet the pet, prior to rehoming it, so some virtual means of allowing the adopter to view the animal in its current environment is necessary.

When the animal is ready to be rehomed, the rescue may provide a delivery service. When it is necessary for welfare reasons for the pet to be moved to their new home the organisation may take a pet to the adopter by appointment providing the handover can be performed using the business handover protocol set out by CFSG.

When a pet is delivered handover should take place in an outdoor space large enough for the rescue staff and adopter to maintain their social distance (2m should be adhered to)

Exceptionally where delivery may not be possible and it is considered reasonably necessary for welfare reasons, the pet may be collected using the same protocols.

What about pet shops and breeders?

Selling pets already in stock or coming through the supply chain may continue providing adequate recommended social distance and health precautions can be maintained at all times (2m should be adhered to).

A decision to sell small pets should be made on an individual basis having made a risk assessment of the pet shop’s ability to carry out the function in accordance with government’s Coronavirus safety guidelines and subject to the ability of staff on duty to provide informed care advice about the particular species being sold. Pet shops can also consider arrangements for home delivery of items.

What about dog trainers?

Only one-to-one training outdoors is allowed, where this is necessary for the dog’s welfare, with no indoor training. Social distance should be maintained and class sizes are limited to one-to-one (person or household bubble) to maintain social distance so there is no mixing between household bubbles (2m should be adhered to where possible).

There should be no physical contact between the trainer and client or dog and social distance should be maintained at all times.

Owners of dogs from infected or self-isolating households pose a significantly higher risk to the trainer and should not be accepted.