EmployeeScreenIQ

Friday, June 19, 2009

Background Checks for Animal Handlers

Should animal handlers at state fairs have to undergo a background check? With crimes against animals on the rise, one well-known animal protection group thinks so.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently requested that all animal exhibitors at the Wyoming State Fair undergo background checks. On top of that, PETA asked fair director James Goodrich to ensure that all exhibitors are in compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act.

In a letter to Goodrich, PETA noted that its offices are often inundated with complaints that exhibitors at fairs and festivals throughout the country have abused animals or endangered the public.

Although exhibitors are required to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that is no guarantee that they will provide adequate animal care or follow public safety measures. Many exhibitors often fail to comply with the minimal federal standards established under the AWA.

Under PETA's request:

An exhibitor will be ineligible to appear at the fair if he or she has been cited by the USDA within the past three years for inadequate veterinary care, improper or dangerous animal handling or failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter or space.
An exhibitor who is traveling with primates must provide proof that each animal has tested negative within the past year for tuberculosis and herpes, both of which can be transmitted to humans.
All exhibitors must provide a written plan for the safe recapture of escaped animals.
All exhibitors must disclose all past incidents in which any of the animals who will appear at the fair potentially endangered the public.

"We'd prefer it if Mr. Goodrich banned all live-animal exhibits from the fair, but at the very least he should adopt strict guidelines - for the sake of animals and people," PETA Director Debbie Leahy said. "Almost without exception, the exhibitors who frequent fairs and festivals have abysmal records when it comes to providing animal care and protecting the public."

Labels: Background checks

posted by Jen Carpenter # 5:38 AM

<< Home

Archives

February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 May 2012 January 2013

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]

Background Checks and Pre-Employment Screening

EmployeeScreenIQ delivers the best and most reliable background checks, and has the flexibility to adapt to your changing needs over time. By establishing ourselves as your trusted partner, we deliver reliable, complete, and current information, legal compliance with all applicable federal/state/local laws, unparalleled customer service, and the best overall value.

We empower employers to make informed hiring decisions by providing timely, accurate & complete employment background checks. EmployeeScreenIQ conducts criminal record searches at each of our nation's 3,500 plus county courthouses, covering the entire United States. We work directly with your organization to develop an effective pre-employment screening program that addresses your unique needs. Our background check solutions can include any combination of the following pre-employment screening and background check services. Checkout the current job openings for Chicago and Cleveland, Ohio sales jobs in our Careers section.

EmployeeScreenIQ is a founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), a non-profit trade association formed to protect consumers and promote advancement and integrity of the industry by establishing standardized industry technology, ethical guidelines for consumer reporting practices and security standards for protection of consumer information and personal privacy.