Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes anyone who owns or takes care of a pet responsible for ensuring that a pet's five basic welfare needs are met.

These basic welfare needs are as follows:

• Pets are given an appropriate diet.
• Pets are given suitable accommodation.
• Individual pet needs to be kept together or separately from other animals are met.
• Pets are able to exhibit normal behaviour. 
• Pets are protected and given treatment for illness and injury.

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary pain to animals under the law faces a fine of up to £20,000 and/or six months in prison.

Owners may also be banned from keeping animals, possibly for life. 

Microchipping your pet

You must make sure your dog is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database by the time it’s 8 weeks old. From 10 June 2024, cats in England will also need to be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they’re 20 weeks old. Find out more about microchipping your pet. 

Benefits of neutering your pet

Visit the RSPCA for everything you need to know about neutering your pet and its benefits for you and your pet. You can view specific advice on neutering your dog on the RSPCA website.