Pet owners leaving their four-legged friends in a kennel or cattery need not take out additional pet insurance to cover their stay, according to an expert.

Meriel France, education and animal care manager from the Pet Care Trust charity, commented that there is “no justification” to take out special pet insurance for such a stay.

“It is up to the owner to choose if they insure an animal,” she said.

Ms France explained that kennels and catteries need to be licensed by law and are visited once a year by the local authority, which checks if the minimum standards are being met.

The required standards for kennels and catteries are outlined in the Model Standards Conditions, a publication compiled by various industry groups including the Pet Care Trust.

“Kennels and catteries should have insurance such as public liability,” Ms France commented, adding that the Pet Care Trust does not advise pet owners to take out insurance before they let animals stay in kennels or catteries.

The charity, which promotes responsible pet ownership and pet care education, estimates that just 23 per cent of animals in the UK are insured.

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