title: Acceptance, Benefits, and Challenges of Public Health-Oriented Pet Business Regulations in King County, Washington.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New regulations were implemented in King County, Washington, in 2010 requiring pet businesses to obtain a permit from Public Health-Seattle & King County (Public Health) and undergo annual inspections to provide education and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The regulations were developed as a tool for zoonotic disease control and prevention education for businesses and their customers, as well as for environmental protection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the acceptance, benefits, and challenges of the new regulations and identify ways for Public Health to improve educational efforts and assist businesses with compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  King County, Washington.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pet businesses with Public Health permits in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-administered survey responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 40.5%. The majority of respondents provided grooming, pet day care, and kennel/boarding services from small, independent businesses. Sixty-one percent reported Public Health inspections as beneficial, especially concerning disinfection procedures and using an infection control plan. Almost three-fourths of respondents used the Public Health template to develop the infection control plan. Forty-four percent reported using the educational materials provided by Public Health, and 62% used educational materials from other sources. Most respondents reported that they gained benefits from the pet business permit, although fewer agreed that they obtained a good value from the permit and fee. The most common benefits reported were protection of animal and human health and establishing the credibility of the pet business.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major challenges with the implementation of the pet business regulations were not generally reported by respondents. Most respondents reported a collaborative relationship between Public Health and the pet businesses. Improvements in infection control practices and positive responses to the inspections were reported by pet businesses. Survey results were used to improve infection control plan templates, increase the use of educational materials, and improve the Web site and business portal performance.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Dr Wierenga); HIV/STD Program (Dr Thiede) and Environmental Health Services Division (Ms Helms), Public Health-Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (Dr Hopkins).
authors.forename: Janelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wierenga
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thiede
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014861:Washington; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000517:prevention & control*