Report farm animal welfare concerns
How to report farm animal welfare concerns to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in England.
Applies to England
You can contact APHA if you’ve seen:
- 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
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 your local authority.
If you’re concerned about wild animals or pets, contact your local council, vet or wildlife rescue centre.
In an emergency
If you see animals that are seriously sick, injured or in need of urgent veterinary care you should try to contact the keeper or owner first.
If you’re concerned that the animals are being neglected, abused or mistreated you should also contact APHA immediately.
Telephone APHA (in England): 03000 200 301
Reporting non-urgent concerns
If you’re worried about the welfare of farm animals but it’s not urgent, you should report it to APHA by email.
Email customeradvice@apha.gov.uk.
Include in your email:
- your telephone number, so we can contact you if we have any questions about your report or we need additional information
- the animals’ location – include the address or postcode, an OS grid reference, what3words or any common landmarks
- a description of their physical condition, such as if they are lame or injured, eating and drinking normally and their surroundings
- how many animals there are overall and how many you’re concerned about
- relevant photos or videos to help us identify the animals, such as an eartag
You can also telephone (in England): 03000 200 301
What to expect if you report a concern
APHA keep all reports anonymous. We’ll never share your details with the farmer, animal keeper or other third party. Read our privacy notice for more information.
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.
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).