25 Pet Grooming Establishments Officially Registered Under New Animal Welfare Standards
25 pet grooming establishments have now been officially registered with the Directorate for the Welfare of Animals, under the 2024 Regulations on Standards for the Operation of Pet Grooming Establishments.
Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, announced the milestone, emphasising that the new legislation and guidelines are designed to ensure that groomers operate in conditions which safeguard animal welfare while also providing peace of mind to pet owners.
Minister Said stated, “It is crucial that we continue to put animal welfare first. These regulations give owners confidence, while also strengthening the grooming profession and ensuring that every animal receives safe and professional care. This is an important step forward in raising standards and ensuring our pets are in the hands of trained people working within the law.”
She encouraged all pet groomers who have not yet registered to do so without delay, and thanked staff at the Directorate for their work. She also noted that a similar registration process is currently underway for pet sitters.
Chief Technical Veterinary Officer at the Directorate for the Welfare of Animals, Joe Zammit, explained that the regulations set out legal standards for all commercial pet grooming establishments. Their primary aim, he said, is to guarantee animal welfare by ensuring facilities are safe and hygienic, and that groomers are properly qualified and licensed.
In particular, the rules require groomers to hold a professional licence and for establishments to implement a suitable animal health control programme, keeping records to be submitted for annual inspections.
Zammit concluded, “The enforcement of these regulations is aimed at professionalising the industry and building trust among pet owners. Through this process, the Directorate has so far registered 25 establishments that are certified as meeting these standards.”
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