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Animal Welfare

Asked by Wendy MortonConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 12 May 2025UIN 49747

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on entering the premises of (a) animal shelters and (b) rescue homes to assess (ii) animal welfare and (ii) conditions.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, local authorities and the police have powers to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare, including powers of entry to premises such as animal shelters and rescue homes. Section 18 of the Act allows animals to be seized where necessary to prevent suffering.

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