VMVT bans cat breeder from breeding and sales

LRT reports that Lithuania’s State Food and Veterinary Service has banned a Vilnius-registered pet breeder from breeding and selling animals after inspections found discrepancies between official records and the actual situation, as well as other legal violations.

The breeder’s activities were suspended in August. After a follow-up inspection found that the violations had not been corrected, the service decided to ban the activities.

Inspectors found that the information in the Pet Animal Register did not match the situation at the breeding premises. Up to 15 cats were kept there, while 33 animals were registered in the breeder’s name at a different address. The service was unable to establish where the other registered animals were being kept because the breeder did not provide that information.

The breeder also failed to provide mandatory records and veterinary information, including details about mating, animals transferred to new owners and their treatment.

Inspectors were unable to check the microchip identification of all the cats because suitable conditions had not been provided. The animals moved freely around the premises, hid from the inspectors and could not be controlled with the breeder’s assistance. As a result, the exact number of cats kept at the premises could not be established.

The inspection also found that the conditions under which the registered activity had been conducted had substantially changed. Electricity had been disconnected at the breeding premises, meaning that the conditions required for proper animal care could no longer be ensured. The rental agreement for the premises where the breeding activity was registered had also been terminated.

“Breeding animals is not simply a matter of keeping and selling them. Breeders are responsible for the traceability, records, health and welfare of the animals and for complying with legal requirements,” said a representative of the service’s Vilnius regional supervision division.

“When it is impossible to verify the information in the register during an inspection, mandatory records are missing and the identified violations are not corrected, including after a repeat inspection, we must take stricter measures,” the representative said.

The service reminded pet breeders that they must properly register and keep records of the animals they keep, provide mandatory information about their activities, comply with animal health and welfare requirements, and allow inspectors to carry out checks without obstruction.