Oversight of Pet Care Facilities

The Humane Society of Utah Welcomes State Executives to Their Campus to Discuss Utah’s Problematic Lack of Oversight of Pet Care Facilities

Contact: Rachel Heatley
Cell: (385) 202-5782
Email: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 13, 2021

News Release

The Humane Society of Utah Welcomes State Executives to Their Campus to Discuss Utah’s Problematic Lack of Oversight of Pet Care Facilities

On October 7, 2021, Humane Society of Utah leadership met with Utah state executives from the Governor’s Office and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the risks associated with a lack of state oversight of pet care facilities, such as shelters, rescues, board-and-train facilities, and more. 

This lack of oversight results in no standardization of facilities or training for the employees running the facilities. This may lead to potentially dangerous situations for both the animals and the employees. In an effort to keep both animals and pet care facility employees safe, the Humane Society of Utah is calling for the enactment of a licensing and inspection program in order to standardize pet care facilities in Utah. 

Several other states, including Georgia, Missouri, Colorado, and Michigan, have already enacted effective licensing programs. “A licensing and inspection program is key to increasing worker safety,” said Rachel Heatley, Utah Humane Society’s Advocacy and Investigations Director, “This program would help ensure that pet care facilities are safe and healthy for pets and the people that care for them.”

In an effort to emphasize the importance of and need for a licensing and inspection program for pet care facilities in Utah, the Humane Society of Utah invited state executives to its campus to discuss the problems and the proposed solution as well as ask for their assistance in launching a successful program. 

“We greatly appreciate the Governor’s Office and the Department of Agriculture for taking the time to hear our concerns and brainstorm possible solutions,” said Vaughn Maurice, Utah Humane Society’s Executive Director, “We feel confident that we can continue to work together to improve pet care facilities here in Utah.”

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About the Humane Society of Utah

The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear, and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the Utah Humane Society has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an atmosphere of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals. As the largest open-admission private animal resource center in the state, the Utah Humane Society welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. We work hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, independent 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization that does not receive any state or government funding and is not a branch of any national organization. It is funded by the contributions of individuals, businesses, and foundations. Read more online at www.utahhumane.org.

4242 South 300 West Murray, UT 84107 / 801-261-2919 / UtahHumane.org / @utahhumane