Membership in a trade association offers a range of benefits that help businesses grow and thrive. Some of the key reasons sole traders and small pet businesses join include:

Licensing support and advice - The Animal Focused Alliance team have been involved in the training of animal licensing officers since 2018. So you can be confident you are getting current and accurate advice for your licensed pet business.

Industry insights and updates - Stay informed about changes in animal welfare and business legislation, regulations, and industry best practices. Access expert advice and research through monthly newsletters and Meet the Expert Webinars. 

Advocacy and representation - As members of the Companion Animal Sector Group we are able to take your thoughts directly to those working in Government, helping shape policies that impact pet professionals. By coming together we offer a collective voice that lobbies for industry interests.

Social media marketing posts and promotion - Every month we will supply a selection of images and posts that can be used across your social sites. These will be customer focused and demonstrate your commitment to ensuring animal welfare. You can edit these to suit your own pet business branding, use them as ideas for your own posts or post them exactly as they are. In addition anything you tag us in will be shared by us to, increasing your reach.

Useful documents - Our members portal contains a range of practical business templates that you can edit to fit the needs of your business. The portal also hosts a range of information to keep you up to date on legislation update and current scientific findings. From licensing documents to extreme weather policies, we have everything you need to run a professional business.

Product discounts - All our members can access a 10% with Pet Business Insurance and each month we team up with manufacturers and suppliers to bring you unique discounts to support your business and treat yourself. 

Education - The Animal Focused Association works with a range of education and training organisations to not only provide regular updates but offer discounts on a range of training courses. Our team have worked on a range of qualification developments and are currently facilitating in the redevelopment of the level 2 Animal Welfare Assistant apprenticeship standard.

Our current education partners are:

Our Member Expectations

The Animal Focused Alliance aims to raise the standards of welfare for all animals in the care of pet professionals. As a result we have a number of requirements for our members, and failure to comply with these will result in membership being terminated.

Animal Focused Alliance members will:

• Comply with the Animal Focused Alliance Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct focused on the principles for ensuring animal welfare, setting the standard for members to follow to ensure the best experience possible for the animals in their care.

• Be licensed in line with the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations 2018. For dog day care providers, home boarders, kennels, catteries, pet shops and breeders we will ask for your license number when you join and check to ensure this is also displayed on your website, inline with the licensing requirements.

• Be committed to continuing professional development (CPD). We request that members update an annual CPD log detailing a minimum of five hours CPD. This can be a formal training course, attending webinars, reading articles, books or magazines or listening to podcasts - anything that keeps you current and welfare focused.