Animal welfare legislation: protecting pets
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Guidance and legislation covering pet welfare and animal cruelty.
Animal Welfare Act 2006
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is the principal animal welfare legislation.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, powers exist for secondary legislation and codes of practice to be made to promote the welfare of animals. The Government is considering a number of specific issues including updating or bringing in new regulations or codes. Until such new provisions are made, existing laws will continue to apply.
Codes of practice
There are codes of practice for the welfare of dogs, cats, horses (including other equidae) and privately kept non-human primates. They provide owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. They can also be used in courts as evidence in cases brought before them relating to poor welfare. The codes apply to England only (Wales and Scotland have their own equivalent codes), and are in forc...
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