Position Statement - Health testing

Background

Anyone advertising an animal online should ensure that potential buyers have all the information they need to only choose companion animals who have good health, welfare, temperament, quality of life and are informed and prepared for their care requirements throughout their entire lives. That includes information about their current health status and any potential future risk of development of inherited disease. 

All pet species can have inherited health conditions which can be detrimental to their health, welfare, temperament, quality of life and their suitability for breeding. Some conditions are specifically related to conformational traits that are intentionally bred for a desired appearance in many species. Specific health tests can reveal whether these health conditions are present in an individual and pose a risk to their health and welfare. Some of these inherited health conditions can also be identified without a test. 

More general veterinary testing may also reveal other conditions related to rearing and husbandry practices such as infectious disease and parasites. 

Providing the outcome of these health tests along with other health related information about a species or breed on adverts is important because it allows a potential buyer to ensure they only purchase animals who are healthy, have good welfare and they are informed and prepared for the ongoing care of that animal, for example should they require long-term treatment and care. 

Resources 

Some PAAG members provide species-specific advice about health testing. 

The BVA and Kennel Club have launched dog health screening schemes, the Kennel Club website has further information on additional health tests which allow breeders and owners to screen their dogs for a range of inherited diseases, helping them to make informed and responsible breeding decisions. 

The Cat Group has released the Kitten Checklist, which provides information to prospective kitten owners to ensure they are fully informed on the safest and most ethical way to purchase their pet. iCatCare has also created further guidance on inherited disorders in cats. 

REPTA has also produced a Deleterious Gene Policy which sets out which reptile morphs are at greater risk of suffering poor welfare, as well as a list of those morphs which should not be advertised for sale, breeding, or acquisition due to their association with serious health issues. 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare has launched the Innate Health Assessment tool. This is a straightforward checklist which allows dog breeders and members of the public to quickly carry out a visual check of any dog to assess their innate health characteristics and suitability to breed. 

What should I do? 

If you come across an advert which claims that the animal for sale has been health tested, we encourage you to: 

• ask for more information about which health tests have been performed
• investigate yourself whether these are the most suitable health tests for your chosen species ask for official documentation about the outcomes of those health tests 
• seek help from a vet or specialist organisation to interpret those results if you are not confident