Exotic Cats Screening Form

Specialist cats are a politically sensitive species in the United Kingdom at present.

TSKA will be promoting the Specialist Cat code of practice when this is released and as such our questions are written in the proposed style under the codes. We ask of all keepers looking to secure exotic cats through purchase that you answer all questions as best as you can.

Our questions are aimed at your experience, knowledge and research into the exotic cat species you intend to secure to your collection. They concentrate upon environment, diet, behaviour, health.

Before any new species is undertaken into your collection, serious considerations should be taken into all of their requirements. This is especially important when looking at a exotic cat/specialist cat species - research is the key.

ENCLOSURES

Our questions are designed so that you can provide as much information as you are able to.

Provide an in-depth description for each of the enclosures where the cats are to be kept. Include materials used, gauge of fencing, opening size of mesh, and method of attachment of fence to posts of each enclosure.
Provide diagrams/photographs of the facilities that includes a name or number for each enclosure for clarity.
List the species, number, and approximate age (adult, juvenile, kitten) of the occupants of each enclosure.
The construction of the enclosures should insure that they are adequate to contain the species of cat held.
The minimum requirements are that the gauge and opening size of fencing and construction be in good condition and are strong enough to contain the cats under all circumstances.
The enclosures should be well braced and securely anchored at ground level to prevent escape by digging or erosion.
The fasteners and fittings used in construction should be of equivalent strength to the material used for construction.
Exercise areas should have vertical walls a minimum of 12 feet high, topped with either a) an inward angled overhang inclined at an angle between 35 and 55 degrees which is at least 2 feet in length and of equal strength as the enclosure walls, or b) at least 2 strands of electrified wire with 1 strand located on the inside of the enclosure wall approximately 1 foot below the top of the vertical wall and the other at the top. Any deficiencies should be noted.

Exotic Cats Screening Form
First name  *
Last name  *
E-mail  *
Address  *
City  *
Country  *
Date of Birth (format) DD/MM/YYYY  *
Your Telephone number (please include full dialling code)
Are you a first time Exotics Keeper, if no state what other species you maintain?  *
Please state your experience with exotic species here, indicating what experience you may have with the species you are looking to purchase  *
Do you have experience with exotic cats, if so what species do you currently maintain or have you maintained in the past?  *
If the cats are kept indoors, is there sufficient exposure to natural or artificial sunlight?  *
If the cats are kept in a residence, is the area where the cats are allowed unsupervised access free from hazards such as exposed electrical cords, toxic plants, chemicals or cleaning agents, etc  *
Is the diet fed adequate to provide the nutritional requirements for the cats?  *
Describe the food storage and defrosting facilities. Is the food to be stored in a manner that insures its freshness and that is free from vermin or other sources of contamination?  *
Is drinking water available in receptacles that allow for cleaning?  *
Describe the veterinary care program, including schedules for vaccinations, deworming, and other necessary preventative veterinary care are important for maintaining good health.  *
Are you a current exotic cat keeper? If so how many years experience do you have?  *
Will you be the only 'keeper' working with the cat/s?  *
If no, what training protocol is used to insure that they are adequately knowledgeable for the safety of the cats and themselves?  *
What types of enrichment provided for the cats? The enrichment provided should physically or mentally stimulate the cats  *
Is a backup vet available? Has the vet worked with your animal before?  *
Will the vet come to you or will you have to take the cat to him? Do you have a means to restrain the animal or a way to transport it?  *
What capture equipment do you have? Do you have a list of people who can aid you or bring additional capture equipment?  *
Please state what advertisement you are responding to with the price that is advertised?  *
Do you have a weapon available should the animal need to be destroyed to protect the public? How are you going to deal with the press?  *
Do you have alternative facilities where you can place the animals should your facility be damaged? Do you have a means to safely capture and transport the cats?  *
Please outline here what research you have undertaken for the species you are looking to purchase  *
Should a situation arise for your species, do you have a veternarian that you can call out to deal with problems?  *
Should the fire possibly endanger the cats, do you have a means to capture them and move them to safety, remembering that they may be quite excited?  *
In the event of you becoming ill or hospitalised. Do you have someone with the knowledge to care for the animals and know where everything is kept, such as all animals and food?  *
Is the size of each of the enclosures appropriate for the species being housed? Please outline the measurements  *
Do they know where your emergency plans are and how to implement them? Do you have a will? Does it provide for the disposition of your animals?  *
Is there a safety door system for each enclosure or building? This is a system of two doors where the keeper can enter one, shut it, then open the second, without providing an avenue of escape for the cat.  *
Is there a perimeter fence adequate to deter entry of the public and to prevent escape of the cats should they be out of their primary enclosure?  *
Do you have equipment such as fire extinguishers or a high-pressure hose to back the animal down?  *
What methods of security are provided to prevent unauthorized entrance to the facility such a locks, security cameras, etc  *
Do you have a means of destroying the animal should it be necessary to reach the victim? Do you have numbers for the hospital/ ambulance service  *
Are the facilities and procedures, such as lock down areas, adequate for feeding, watering, cleaning, and maintenance without causing danger to the keepers' and risk of escape?  *
Will your insurance cover such injuries? How will you deal with the press?  *
Describe the shelter provided for each enclosure for protection from the sun and rain, as well as methods for providing heat or cooling to cats sensitive to cold or heat  *
Are records kept of all animal transactions?  *
Will medical records be kept for all your animals?  *
Describe the maintenance schedule for removing waste and general cleaning of the enclosure as well as the methods employed to dispose of this waste so as not to provide health risks.  *
Is there a record kept of individual cat permanent identification such as pictures, tattoos, microchip implants? This is important to prove ownership if there is a theft or escape, as well as individual identification  *
Describe the substrate used to provide safe, well-drained, sanitary conditions  *
Describe the type of cage furniture used to provide resting spots and enrichment, such as towers, lounging shelves, or claw logs  *
List all licencing and insurances you are required to have and the name and address of the issuing council and environmental health officer.  *
Is the ventilation adequate to prevent build up of ammonia and other noxious odors in indoor facilities?  *
* Required fields