Changing laws to protect animals
Since 1824 we‘ve helped change more than 400 animal welfare laws. We campaign for change with the public and partners, and engage with governments, institutions and public bodies to advise on key animal welfare issues and concerns.
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How we help change laws
We don’t have any political power to change laws, but we use our unique position as the world’s oldest and largest animal charity to be a strong voice for animals.
We use our animal welfare expertise to work with all politicians and legal political parties – in a non-party political way – to secure improvements for animals, through changing policies or securing new legislation. This leads to new wildlife, farmed animals, research and animal cruelty laws and pet laws in the UK.
We also campaign alongside the public and our partners to speak up for animals and call for change.
We can’t change the world for animals alone. When our supporters join us to campaign for change, it gives us the power to make a difference to transform animals’ lives.
How we typically introduce new animal cruelty laws:
- We work with Members of Parliament (MPs), members of the Senedd (MSs) and governments to introduce a Bill to address an animal welfare issue, or secure a manifesto commitment.
- The Bill goes through several readings in the Senedd or Parliament, where it’s debated, scrutinised and amendments are made.
- At the third reading, a final debate takes place on the amended bill.
- If changes are made by either the Lords or the Commons in Westminster, the bill needs to go back to the other for approval. The Bill goes through four stages in the Senedd.
- The Bill is presented to the Sovereign, who makes the bill law by granting Royal Assent. If the Act has no commencement provision, it will become law from midnight at the start of the day of Royal Assent.
Animal laws in England and Wales
Most animal welfare issues are devolved in Wales and England. That means it's the Welsh Government – and Welsh Parliament / the Senedd – who decide many of the rules and regulations that concern animals in Wales, like pets, wildlife and livestock. There are some exceptions.
The RSPCA's campaign teams lobby two national governments for change – the UK Government, and the Welsh Government; while working with both Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to improve animals’ lives.
England and Wales share foundations like the Animal Welfare Act 2006, but many of the laws that impact animals are increasingly different between the two countries.
For example, it’s been illegal to use electric shock collars on dogs and cats in Wales since 2010, but no such ban exists in England. England made cat microchipping compulsory in 2024, but pet owners in Wales don’t have to chip their cats. Policies like the way farmers are supported to promote animal welfare, and how wild animals are rescued and released, can be different too.
Sometimes, proposed changes for animals are considered at very different times in England and Wales, which impacts when we need to mobilise our supporters in each country to help us campaign for change. This also influences what issues the RSPCA campaigns on in both countries.
Our teams produce manifestos for both Westminster and Senedd elections, containing proposals to improve the lives of animals, that are achievable in the wider political, legislative and societal climate.
What we’re changing
We’ve changed hundreds of animal cruelty laws and wildlife laws in the UK in recent years, including tougher sentences for animal abusers, cracking down on keeping primates as pets, banning live exports and getting animal sentience recognised in law, to name a few.
We campaign for every animal.
Pets
We want a crackdown on harmful breeding which puts looks over welfare, sanctuaries licensed, and better dog control laws.
Farm animals
We’re calling for the end of cages, prevention of lower welfare imports, and a mandatory method of production labelling.
Wildlife/animals in science
We want wildlife to be better protected with new legislation and a phase out of harmful animal use in science.
What we’ve changed
Over the past 200 years, we've changed over 400 laws. By working with the public, partners, and policy makers we’ve put animal welfare on the public agenda.
This means that animals are better protected. We’ve stopped practices that harm animals and cause suffering, ensured that people are responsible for caring for their pets properly, and that many industries that use animals for profit have to consider their welfare, or end their use altogether.
There’s much more to do, and it will take all of us to bring about the change we all want to see.
