LAUNCH OF THE UK`S FIRST NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR DOG WARDENS

LAUNCH OF THE UK'S FIRST NATIONAL QUALIFICATION

FOR DOG WARDENS

In a historic collaboration, the Kennel Club and the National Dog Warden Association NDWA today announced the launch of the UK's first qualification for dog wardens, recognised by City & Guilds, which will set a national standard for those who enforce responsible dog ownership legislation.

The qualification, created in collaboration with the NDWA, is made available through the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour KCAI. The KCAI offers, for the first time in the UK, a nationally recognised and externally validated qualification, which demonstrates the broad level of knowledge, experience and expertise required of all those involved in the demanding position of offering dog warden services.

Dog wardens are responsible for dealing with the part of the Environment Protection Act 1990 concerning stray dogs, and for educating the public about their responsibilities as dog owners under the Animal Welfare Act, for example picking up dog foul and keeping dogs under control.

Sue Bell, President of the National Dog Warden Association, said: Dog wardens are at the sharp end of dealing with the reality of dog ownership in this country. We are often in the position of having to advise dog owners on how to tackle problem behaviours with their dogs, such as frequent straying or antisocial behaviour. We are delighted to be working with the Kennel Club to create a qualification which sets the national standard required of dog wardens, to undertake their role in the most professional manner, and which recognises the broad range of knowledge and skills necessary that many dog wardens possess.

KCAI Chairman, Paul Rawlings, added: We are extremely pleased that NDWA chose to work with the KCAI in establishing this important quality benchmark for dog wardens. Their considerable expertise and knowledge has ensured the module is of the highest calibre. We now hope that all dog wardens will join the KCAI to benefit from the qualification it offers.

The KCAI is the UK's national &lsquogold standard&rsquo in dog training and canine services and is backed by City & Guilds, the UK&rsquos biggest name in vocational training. Those accredited with the scheme receive the City & Guilds approved National Quality Award for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour.

To find out more about the KCAI and the new Dog Warden module, please contact Aby Wojcik, KCAI Specialist at the Kennel Club on 0844 463 3980 ext 305 or aby.wojcik@thekennelclub.org.uk, or Iris Thompson, Training and Events Coordinator at the National Dog Warden Association at ithompson@ndwa.co.uk.

ENDS

2^nd October 2012

[368.12]

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Notes for Editors

The National Dog Warden Association NDWA was established in 1984 and is an association committed to the promotion of responsible dog and pet ownership and the important and continuing role of animal and dog wardens in the 21st century.

NDWA acts as a beacon of excellence for its members within which they can exchange ideas and views and advance dog warden services to the government, public and other animal welfare organisations. Normal duties include the enforcement of dog related legislation including those within the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Members also advise the public on their legal duties regarding pet ownership and visit schools to talk to children on animal care.

Members of the public who have lost or found a dog can also use the NDWA website as a one stop shop for advice on what to do. As the national website you can search for information in more than one region - dogs do not know when they have crossed from one county to another and in some cases they may have been taken to a different region.

For more information www.ndwa.co.uk or training@ndwa.co.uk.

KCAI
The Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour KCAI is the UK's quality benchmark for instruction and teaching in the canine world.

It is the first and only scheme in the UK for instructors in dog training and behaviour to be approved by City & Guilds NPTC. For the first time in the UK, instructors involved in teaching dog training and advising on canine behaviour have the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised, credible and externally verified qualification through the scheme.

The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.

It runs the country&rsquos largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK's largest reunification service for microchipped animals. The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is the only scheme in the UK that monitors and sets standards for breeders, in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs the UK&rsquos largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world's greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Discover Dogs event at Earls Court, London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy responsibly and care for their dog.

The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health.