Instead of mandatory requirements for the provision of adequate sized housing on the grounds of animal welfare would it not be better for a person to prove prior knowledge and/or complete a basic husbandry course related to the type of licence for which they are applying?
Mandating a husbandry course or proof of prior knowledge prior to a licence being issued would have several benefits for example it would ensure that a person would have the basic knowledge in regards to the care, housing and wellbeing prior to them being able to aquire an animal, it would act as a deterant for the impulse buyer as they would actually have to do something more than just fill out the licence application, if done through herp societies it would potentially boost memberships, a nominal fee could be charged which could then be used to fund society activities and in addition could be used beneficially towards study, research and conservation..