Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Make it illegal to keep or sell social animals like guinea pigs alone

Closed 193 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the government to introduce legislation preventing pet shops and breeders from rehoming social animals, such as guinea pigs or rabbits, without a suitable companion. Owners must keep these species in compatible pairs or groups, with exceptions only for bereavement or planned re-pairing.
Guinea pigs and other social species need companionship to express natural behaviours and avoid stress or loneliness. In countries like Switzerland and Austria, keeping them alone is illegal. We should follow this example to uphold animal welfare standards and stop the sale of solitary animals. Limited exceptions could apply when an animal is adopted as a companion replacement or where the adopter commits to pairing within a set time frame.

Timeline

12 Nov 2025 Petition opened for signatures
12 May 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 193
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 12 Nov 2025
Closed 12 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 8 Aug 2026.