There are laws in the UK designed to protect the health and welfare of both domesticated and wild animals.
Animal health and welfare legislation is enforced jointly by the Local Authority and the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), along with other government bodies and independent organisations like the RSPCA. Visit the RSPCA website
Biosecurity guidance to prevent the spread of animal diseases
Download DEFRA's guidelines on entering or leaving places where farm animals (including poultry) are kept or have been kept (10 page, 58kb, pdf)
Foot and mouth and bluetongue disease
For the most up to date information about foot and mouth and bluetongue disease go to DEFRA's website
What the Local Authority do:
Licensing of horse riding establishments, dog breeding establishments, animal boarding establishments, dangerous wild animals, animal movements.
Go to the animal licences pages for detailed information and application forms
Also in this section:
What Defra do:
- Diseases - Control and Surveillance, Avian Influenza (bird flu), BSE, Tuberculosis, Scrapie, Foot and Mouth Disease
- National Animal Health and Welfare Strategy
- Animal Welfare at Farms, Markets, Slaughterhouses
- The Pet Travel Scheme
- International Trade in Animals
- Animal by-products
- Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity
- Wildlife Crime
Visit the Defra website
Defra Helpline: 08459 33 55 77
