Report farm animal welfare concerns
Report farm animal welfare concerns in England to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Applies to England
Use this service to report:
- farm animals with signs of unnecessary suffering or neglect, such as starving
- abuse or mistreatment of farm animals
- straying farm animals – unless the animals are on a road
- stranded or stuck farm animals if you cannot contact the keeper or owner first
APHA keep all reports anonymous. We’ll never share your details with the farmer, animal keeper or other third party.
Report farm animals that are on roads to the police. Telephone 999 if it’s a motorway or A-road or 101 if it’s a minor road.
Report findings of dead farm animals to the local council.
If you’re concerned about wild animals or pets, contact the local council, vet or wildlife rescue centre.
‘Farm animals’ include:
- sheep
- pigs
- cows
- chickens
Report an urgent concern
Telephone APHA if you see animals that appear:
- sick
- injured
- neglected
- abused
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Report a non-urgent concern
Use the online service to tell us if you are concerned about the welfare of a farm animal but it’s not urgent.
Before you start
We’ll ask you for:
- the location of the animal, like a what3words reference or an address
- the date and time you saw the animal
- a description of the animal’s physical condition
- photos or videos, if it’s safe
- your contact details (optional)
What happens next
We carefully assess the evidence and risks in each report. If we need more information, we’ll contact you using the details you gave us.
We will not be able to let you know the outcome of your report.
How we investigate your report
An APHA inspector may visit the location to check on the animal’s welfare, depending on the nature of the concern and if we have the information we need. If the issue needs urgent intervention, an inspector may visit within 24 hours.
Inspectors can also arrange to visit the location with the local authority, who are responsible for making decisions such as prosecutions.
Depending on the circumstances, inspectors may:
- advise the farmer or animal keeper of their legal requirement to look after the animals’ welfare
- support the local authority if they decide it’s appropriate to take enforcement actions or seek prosecution
APHA does not refer animal welfare reports directly to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Read the privacy notice for more information.
Scotland and Wales
This service is for reports in England only.
If you’re in:
- Wales, telephone: 03003 038 268
- Scotland, telephone: 03000 600 704
Updates to this page
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The customeradvice@apha.gov.uk email address is no longer in use. A link to the contact form for reporting non-urgent farm animal welfare concerns has been added.
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First published.