Information for pet owners
Codes of Practice for the Welfare of your pets
Owning and caring for an animal can be a source of great enjoyment, but you should be aware that animal ownership is a major responsibility. Typically, dogs live about 13 years or longer, cats for about 17 years or longer and horses for 30 years or more. Consequently, you should think carefully about all factors that will affect your ability to care for a pet and whether a pet is suitable for you.
The purpose of a code of practice is to provide practical guidance to help you comply with the provisions of Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It does not tell you precisely how to care for your cat, dog or horse but summarises important things you should consider when making decisions about how best to care for them.
Full information about the Code of Practice is available to download from the government Animal welfare legislation: protecting pets page.