Animal welfare information

There is a wide range of legislation to protect the health and welfare of animals in captivity.

The following information explains the standards that owners and keepers must maintain and how to report suspected animal cruelty.

All owners and keepers of animals have a duty of care under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Owners and keepers must take positive steps to ensure they care for their animals properly and in particular must provide for the five welfare needs:

• Its need for a suitable environment
• Its need for a suitable diet
• Its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• Any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
• Its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

The GOV.UK lists the legislation and guidance on animal welfare.

How do I report suspected animal cruelty?

The City of London animal welfare services team, under contract, carries out visits on behalf of local authorities across London and the Home Counties. You can contact the City of London animal welfare services team on 020 8897 6741 and they will direct you to the appropriate organisation or local authority.

The organisation to which you report suspected cases of cruelty or neglect depends on the animal and the type of establishment they're kept in.