Animal Welfare Act - New law to protect pets

All good pet owners want to make sure that they provide their animal with everything they need, but there has never been any legal obligation for them to do so. 

This all changed on Friday 6 April 2007 when the new Animal Welfare Act (2006) came into effect.  The Act states that all animal owners have a legal 'duty of care' to ensure the welfare of their pet. 

It identifies the five key needs of every animal:

1. The need for a proper diet (including water)
2. The need for somewhere suitable to live
3. The need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (as appropriate)
4. The need to express their normal behaviour
5. The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

While many pet owners already provide for these needs, anyone who fails to do so could be liable for a fine or even a prison sentence.

The Blue Cross produces a wide range of leaflets for pet and horse owners, giving expert advice on how to keep their animals healthy and happy.  For more information on any aspect of pet ownership or to download these free leaflets, please visit our All About Pets website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the Animal Welfare Act applies to me?
The Act states that a person has a 'duty of care' towards an animal if they are:

a) the owner of the animal
b) in charge of the animal (e.g. an owner of boarding kennels)
c) a parent or guardian of a person under 16 who is responsible for the animal

What does a 'duty of care' mean?
This is a legal phrase, which means that someone has an obligation to do something.   In the context of the Animal Welfare Act (2006), the obligation is for pet owners to ensure that their animal's welfare needs are met.

How do I know whether I am meeting my animal's needs?
The five key needs of every animal are listed in the Act.  For more advice on specific aspects of pet ownership, please visit our All About Pets website. 

To learn more about the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and how it could affect you, please visit the DEFRA website.

April 2007