Petition · past parliament

Make it illegal for private individuals to own primates as pets in the UK

Closed 42 signatures

What the petition asks

Primates have complex needs and are ill-suited for private ownership. However, the sale and keeping of primates as pets in the UK is currently legal. Legislation needs to change to make it illegal for private individuals to purchase or own primates as pets in the United Kingdom.
Primates often suffer appalling mental health issues as a result of being kept in captivity. They also often have diseases such as diabetes due to the inappropriate diet they are fed. Thousands of privately owned primates are kept in the UK, as it is still possible to walk into a high street pet shop and buy a primate.

The law must change to make it illegal for private individuals to purchase or own primates as pets in the UK.

Further information: www.bornfree.org.uk and www.wildfutures.org

Timeline

24 Sep 2019 Petition opened for signatures
6 Nov 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 42
Status Closed
Opened 24 Sep 2019
Closed 6 Nov 2019

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.