Legislation & Guidance: Companion Animals

Legislation & Guidance > Companion Animals

Here you will find the statutory legislation and relevant guidance relating to companion animal welfare. Please note the guidance is often reviewed and update by Defra – the latest review in February 2022 for which this documents are up to date.

The Cat, Dog and Equine Welfare Codes are a useful tool for public education and to help drive the principles of responsible pet ownership. We recommend local authorities highlight them to people in their area and to encourage those selling predominantly pet animals to make new owners aware of their existence.


Codes

  1. Code of Practice- Welfare of Equines
  2. Code of Practice- Welfare of Dogs
  3. Code of Practice- Welfare of Cats

Guidance

  1. Selling Animals as Pets Guidance
  2. Keeping or Training Animals for Exhibition Guidance
  3. Home Boarding for Dogs Guidance
  4. Hiring Out of Horses Guidance
  5. Dog Day Care Guidance
  6. Dog Breeding Guidance
  7. Commercial Dog Boarding Guidance
  8. Cat Boarding Guidance
  9. Animal Activity Procedural Guidance 2022
  10. Licence Fee Setting Non Statutory Guidance

Regulations

  1. Control of Horses Act 2015
  2. The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018
  3. Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
  4. Dogs Act 1871
  5. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
  6. The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974
  7. Animal Welfare Act 2006

Supporting Documents

  1. ID46 Rabies Import Order Form
  2. Licence Fee Setting Non Statutory Guidance
  3. Kitten Checklist October 2018
  4. The Puppy Contract