80 pet shop employees attend training

The Veterinary Services Section at Dubai Municipality has conducted a second training course to ensure that employees in veterinary establishments like pet shops in Dubai are qualified.

The two-day course was attended by 80 employees who sell birds, aquariums and pet animals. The initiative aimed to raise the hygiene level of establishments and reduce the health risks to the community.

Dr Sara Elliott from the British veterinary hospital said the initiative is a positive step forward confirming that pet shops across the region need to be improved.

“This can only come from improved education of pet shop employees, owners and the general public,” she said.

Participants at the training course were introduced to the basic principles of animal welfare standards and briefed about the most important symptoms of animal diseases, pet behaviour, and means of prevention of such diseases.

Meanwhile, the owners of animal shops were also give a checklist by the Control Unit of the department, which lists health practices, the correct methods of cleaning and sterilisation, as well as the permitted types of materials used in cleaning pet shops.

Hashim Al Awadi, director of Veterinary Services Section, said the trade of pet birds and animals has witnessed a remarkable development in parallel with the great boom in the emirate.