Performing Animal Welfare Advice | RSPCA - RSPCA
Are you concerned about animals in a production?
Please consult an Independent Animal Welfare Advisor if you're concerned about:
- an animal currently being used in a performance, for example on the set of a production or in a circus or theatre show.
- an animal you've seen in a recorded performance, such as in a film or on TV.
If you're involved in a production and want advice about using live animals, have a look at our free Guidelines for the Welfare of Performing Animals.
Frequently asked questions
We believe all animals should be treated with kindness. So if you're thinking of using animals in a production, there are some important things to think about to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
Our experience has shown that welfare issues in the industry are common and that most arise from a lack of planning. These are some of the questions we're most often asked about performing animals and their welfare.
What is a performing animal?
By 'performing animal' we mean any animal that's taken away from their usual home environment or social group or who has been trained or set up to behave in a particular way for a production. This can be anything from simply sitting in one place to performing a complex sequence of behaviours.
Our guidelines focus on vertebrate animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish) who are covered by animal welfare legislation. However, we believe all animals should be treated with kindness, so our guidance can also be applied to invertebrates such as insects, spiders and molluscs.
What sort of productions are covered by the RSPCA's guidelines?
Our guidelines cover nearly every type of performance, event or show that uses live animals, including:
- films and TV
- adverts
- still photography
- art exhibits
- theatre
- live events and displays
- webcasts
- music videos
- corporate training and marketing videos
The guidelines don't cover fly-on-the-wall documentaries, bona fide agricultural shows, sporting events and/or military and police activities.
What's the law on using animals in productions?
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which applies in England and Wales, those responsible for an animal have a duty of care to provide for the animal's needs.
Providing for the needs of an animal includes giving them a suitable environment and diet, allowing them to behave normally, housing them with or apart from other animals (as appropriate), protecting them from pain, injury, suffering and disease, and meeting any other needs they may have.
There are a number of other regulations that may be relevant to the use of animals in productions, such as The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, the Performing Animal (Regulation) Act 1925 and the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.
What's our position on the use of performing animals?
We're against the use of animals in entertainment if distress or suffering is caused or is likely to be caused. More generally, we don't endorse the use of animals in any form of entertainment, but if approached we will offer advice that promotes good welfare practice, keeping performing animals healthy and happy. We'll always include suggestions on alternatives to animal use.
Consulting independent animal welfare advisers can reduce or avoid risks to animal welfare.
Will following our advice interfere with the artistic/creative content of my production?
Our guidance doesn't intend to affect the artistic content of productions and doesn't cover the ethics of animal portrayal. It's intended solely to protect the welfare of animals being used.
That said, if animals are portrayed in a demeaning way or in a manner that encourages inappropriate care, we're worried this could increase the number of people who see them as disposable property, think it's acceptable to disregard their needs, and mimic what's shown.
Anyone using animals in a production should be aware that showing animals in a certain light may stimulate demand for them as pets.