Advice on caring for your dog
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets get the best out of life.
Your dog should be:
- given a suitable environment
- given a suitable diet
- able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- able to socialise with their own breed
- protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease in relation to the size, breed and age
Read the advice and welfare on the RSPCA website for useful information and guides on how to meet these five needs.
If you are concerned for a dog's welfare
If you think a dog or other animal is being mistreated or have other serious concerns about an animal's welfare, you should report it to the RSPCA.
Read the reporting cruelty checklist on the RSPCA website
Microchipping
All dogs must be microchipped and wear a collar and tag whilst in a public place. All chips must be registered with the chip database and the details kept up to date. It is your responsibility to keep your dog's micro-chip information up to date. You should contact the company your dog is registered with if you move house or change contact numbers.
If you do not know which database your dog is registered with, you can check the microchip number.
If you lose your dog and it has been microchipped, a vet or the kennels can call the microchip database and get your details so they can contact you direct. If the details are not up to date they will not be able to contact you.
Failure to have your dog microchippped or to keep the records up to date may lead to a fine of £500.
Further advice:
- GOV.UK's Get your dog microchipped (opens in new window)
- The RSPCA provide information on Microchipping your pet (opens in new window)
- The Dogs Trust have a list of Frequently asked questions about microchipping
Collars and tags
When outside of the home, it is also a legal requirement for your dog to wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on a tag. This is often the quickest way to be reunited with your dog, as members of the public are able to return them if they go missing.
Failure to ensure your dog has a collar and identification tag with your name and address on it when it is in a public place can lead to a fine of up to £5,000.
Neutering and spaying
Neutering and spaying is not just about controlling pet numbers, it can also give your dog many other benefits.
Every year thousands of stray and unwanted dogs are collected by councils and rescue centres across the country. Neutering and spaying helps to prevent unwanted litters of puppies and can help reduce the numbers of unwanted dogs. Neutering and spaying also has many health benefits for both male and female dogs.
For more information or advice on neutering and spaying, please contact your local vet or Find out more about neutering on the Dogs Trust website.