Moulton College given go-ahead to take different exotic animals

Moulton College Animal Welfare Centre has been approved under the Balai Directive. The approval now means that the centre is accepted and free to move various animals between other Balai approved centres.

The aim of the directive is to ensure that the movement of animals is traceable and to ensure that facilities are ‘clean’ and have adequate isolation and biosecurity measures in place. The approval consisted of an inspection of any Vet records as well as the yearly schedule for animal care.

A spokesman said the college can now accommodate Rodentia (Guinea Pigs, Porcupine, Mice, Hamsters, Gerbils) Lagomorphs (Rabbits), Primates, Artiodactyl (Llama, Alpaca) and non-domesticated carnivores (Meerkats, Mongoose, Civet, Ferrets) to name but a few.

Vicky May, manager of the Animal Welfare and Therapy Centre, was pleased with the result saying: “The team and I are over the moon! We are one of only six colleges that holds this in the UK so this is very important for us to maintain our position in the sector as well as industry.”

All colleges and zoos will have to fall in line with this directive when wanting to move certain animals or they will become very limited as to what they can hold. It’s a good thing in the long run as it stops the trade of exotic species –especially primates as this is the main part of the directive that becomes enforced legally.

The approval will give students an excellent opportunity to interact and work with a diverse range of exotic animals at Moulton College which could be vital to getting that dream job in Animal Welfare and management.