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Cats and the law

Discover the laws that relate to caring for cats, including the Animal Welfare Act.

Cats and the law

Discover the laws that relate to caring for cats, including the Animal Welfare Act.

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The five welfare needs

All animals are protected from harm by law. In addition, animal owners are responsible for ensuring that their pets have all of their needs met.

The five welfare needs are:

  • to have a suitable environment
  • to have a suitable diet
  • to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
  • to have the opportunity to be alone
  • to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

 

Your responsibilities as a cat owner

How to report cruelty or neglect

While Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, we are primarily a rehoming organisation and do not carry out private prosecutions. If you are concerned about a cat you should contact:

Cruelty and neglect

Animal Welfare Act 2006

Cats Protection was heavily involved in the campaign to raise sentences for cruelty. In 2021 the maximum penalty for cruelty offences (causing unnecessary suffering) was raised from six months to five years and/or an unlimited fine.

Penalties for committing an act of cruelty, or failing to meet your cat's welfare needs, also include a ban from owning animals.

The Act increases the minimum age that anyone can buy a cat or other animal to 16.

Animal Welfare Act 2006

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

The Scottish Act has a few differences to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. For example, the Scottish Act retains the offence of abandonment, whereas in England and Wales this is covered by the cruelty offences and the duty to ensure welfare.

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Northern Irish Act matches the provisions of the other two acts and retains the offence of abandonment.

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Theft Act 1968

Cats are regarded in law as property, so the theft of a cat is treated as an offence under the Act, in the same way as theft of any other property.

A cat that is lost or has strayed is generally regarded as the property of the original owner. It is therefore necessary to try to return a lost cat to their owner.

Criminal Damage Act 1971

If a person kills or injures a cat belonging to another person, they may have committed an offence under this act, because the law regards cats as property.

The Common Law Duty of Care

It is often thought that cats have a right to roam wherever they wish. This idea is based on the fact that dog and livestock owners are obliged by law to keep their animals under control, but these duties do not apply to cat owners. The law recognises that cats are less likely to cause injury to people or damage property than some other animals.

However, cat owners do have a duty at law to take reasonable care to ensure that their cats do not injure people or damage property. Cases involving damage to property or injury to people by cats are rare.

The legal implications of keeping many cats

If you keep a large number of cats in a home, the Local Planning Authority may consider that the number of cats is not incidental to the ordinary use and enjoyment of the residence, and they may require you to make a planning application for change of use. If this is not granted, you may be required to reduce the number of cats in your home.

Environmental Health departments also have powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in respect of nuisance or hazards, such as fouling, smell and noise, caused by too many cats in a single property.

If the welfare needs of cats kept in large numbers at a single property are not met, this could constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

Pet Travel Schemes (PETS)

Under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), cats and other animals can enter the UK without the need for quarantine, provided they meet certain requirements.

Foreign travel and cats

Free guide

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Your responsibilities as a cat owner

As a cat owner, you have a moral and legal obligation to meet your cat's five welfare needs. Find out how to give your cat a happy and healthy life.

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Cruelty and neglect

Cats are protected from harm by law and there are a number of things that owners need to be aware of. Find out more about protecting cats in our guide.

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Keeping your cat safe

Take a look at our free guide for information on keeping your cat safe from everyday household hazards and what to do if your cat has an accident at home.

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