Website of the UK government

Animal Welfare Act 2006

You are responsible for your pet’s welfare, under the Animal Welfare Act.

This means that you must look after your animal by making sure it:

• has a proper diet, including fresh water 
• has somewhere suitable to live
• is kept with or away from other animals, depending on its needs
• is allowed to express itself and behave normally
• is protected from, and treated for, illness and injury 

The Act also says that you must be over 16 years old to buy an animal.

Who enforces animal welfare

Local councils, animal health officers and the police have the power to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. If you are cruel to an animal or don’t provide for its welfare needs, you may be banned from owning animals. Or, you could be fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison for up to six months.

Councils also issue licences to help with the regulation of animal welfare, including licences for:

• horse riding establishments
• dog breeding establishments
• animal boarding establishments
• pet shops

For more information about the Animal Welfare Act and how it affects you as a pet owner, visit the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

• Animal welfare and your duty of care - Defra website Opens new window

You can also get information from your local council by following the link below.

• Find out about animal health and welfare Opens new window

Reporting cruelty to animals

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or subjected to cruelty, take note of what you've seen. Then phone the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (RSPCA) 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999. You’ll be asked to give a detailed description of what you have seen or heard.

Organisations like the RSPCA can request the help of local authorities or the police if necessary. They may request help if they need to gain access to a property or are physically threatened by the owner.

• Checklist of what you need to tell the RSPCA about a neglected animal Opens new window

Help with looking after your pet

If you have problems looking after your pet, there are a number of animal support networks and charities available to help you. Ask your local veterinary surgeon for advice, or contact one of the organisations listed in the links below.

The Blue Cross and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals work to prevent cruelty to animals and provide help and advice on looking after pets and other animals.

• The Blue Cross Opens new window

• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Opens new window

The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity for the elderly and their pets.

• The Cinnamon Trust Opens new window

If you feel you can no longer look after your pet, you should contact a local animal shelter or the RSPCA. They will make every effort to find your pet a new home.

Making sure your pet is looked after while you are away

You’ll need to make sure your pet is looked after if you go away, for example on holiday or to hospital for a long time. If a family member, good neighbour or friend can’t help look after your cat or dog, you could contact a local kennel or cattery. You should be able to find details of these in your local telephone directory, or ask your vet.

Reporting stray cats or dogs

Your council is responsible for dealing with stray dogs. However, it won’t deal with stray cats and will usually refer people to the RSPCA or Cats Protection - a charity organisation that helps rehome stray cats.

If you are concerned about a sick or stray animal, you can call the RSPCA helpline. Where necessary a trained animal handler will come and collect the animal and take it to an animal shelter.

You can contact the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234 999 or visit its website using the link below.

• Stray cats - advice from the RSPCA Opens new window

• Cats Protection Opens new window

• Report a stray dog to the local council Opens new window