Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Require criminal record checks before the sale/adoption of an animal
Closed
290 signatures
What the petition asks
Change the law to prevent the sale or adoption of animals from breeders, pet shops or rescues without first performing a background check, with those with a history of animal abuse prevented from buying or adopting animals. This could save countless innocent lives.
The media has highlighted the need for UK animal abuse register. However, a separate system is unrealistic due to cost. The Disclosure and Barring Service mechanism is in place and could be used to prevent sales of animal by pet shops, breeders, or rescues [and others] to those who abuse. This law would affect ‘any description of vertebrate’ which includes all mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.
Timeline
| 11 Nov 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 11 May 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
290
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
11 Nov 2020
Closed
11 May 2021
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.