Veterinary Support for
Standards in Pet Nutrition Consultancy
We are seeking veterinary professionals to voice their support for the regulation of pet nutrition consultants. To see the term as a protected title with associated competency to ensure the well-being of pets.
Foremost to ensure that animals are protected from disease caused by inappropriate diets.
The APNC are an independent association with the aim of serving pet owners and the profession by maintaining high standards of knowledge, empathy, and skills in all pet nutrition consultants.
Should you be in agreement with the below proposals we would welcome your signature via the form underneath them to voice your support for the regulation. We have included a personal comment section to include footnotes or additional thoughts on the need for the regulation.
Our Proposals
Firstly, to the existing recommendation that legislation (the Veterinary Medicines Act) should be amended to underpin the work of those paraprofessionals who are currently working in a legal grey area as their work amounts to acts of veterinary surgery too substantial to be underpinned by an exemption order: in particular equine dental technicians, musculoskeletal therapists, and cattle foot trimmers, we propose that pet nutrition consultants should be added to the proposed list of paraprofessionals.
Secondly, to the existing proposal that the RCVS should seek to bring the vet-led team under its regulatory umbrella in order to be able to assure standards and protect animal health and welfare – this is particularly necessary for those paraprofessionals, we propose to include pet nutrition consultants, who could be considered to carry out acts of veterinary surgery, and would enable the veterinary professions and the public to identify suitable consultants.
Thirdly, you feel that, in the development of the APNC association and mentorship the appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that regulation of the industry would continue to allow for freedom of choice for consumers yet would increasingly enhance animal welfare.