Caring for pets

You must provide proper care to any animal you keep as a pet.

You may get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months if you do not look after an animal properly. You may also be banned from owning animals in future.

How to care for your pet

You must make sure that any animal you own or care for:

  • has a proper diet and 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

You must be over 16 years old to buy an animal.

Microchipping your pet

You must make sure your dog is microchipped.

The rules for cats depend on where you live.

Check the rules about microchipping dogs and cats.

Licences

You do not need a licence to own or keep most common pets, such as cats or dogs.

You may need a licence from your local council if you:

  • keep wild or exotic animals
  • run a business that involves pets, such as breeding, boarding or selling them

Find out about activities that need a pet licence.

Contact your local council to apply for a licence or to check if you need one. You must get the licence before you get the animal.

Report cruelty to animals

England or Wales

Contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) to report someone neglecting or being cruel to an animal in England or Wales.

RSPCA cruelty and advice line
0300 1234 999
8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

You can also report concerns online.

Scotland

Contact the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA):

SSPCA animal helpline
03000 999 999
7am to 11pm
Find out about call charges

You’ll be asked to give a detailed description of what you’ve seen or heard. You do not have to give your personal details if you do not want to.

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