Petition · past parliament
To make it illegal to own one guinea pig
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
We would like a law passed (much like Switzerland) that it is illegal to just own one guinea pig because they are social animals and this is an animal welfare issue
Because this is an animal welfare issue and it would benefit the animals well-being as a domestic animal to be kept in a pair and not on its own.
Why it was rejected
The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.
The Animal Welfare Act already creates a requirement to meet an animal's need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns andbe housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare
Determining whether owning a single guinea pig was inconsistent with these requirements would be a matter for the courts.
Determining whether owning a single guinea pig was inconsistent with these requirements would be a matter for the courts.
Timeline
| 19 Aug 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Aug 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
24 Aug 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.