Stop pet rat neglect in pet stores.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like pet shops to meet a certain criteria inorder to sell pet rats. (E.g. have them is suitable sized wired cages and to insure that they are socialised appropriately.)

Pet rats are highly social, intelligent animals that require companionship, adequate space, enrichment, and regular human interaction. Keeping them alone or in small, barren enclosures causes stress, illness, and behavioural issues including depression and aggression. We call for minimum welfare standards in pet stores to ensure rats are housed in appropriate group sizes, with sufficient space and enrichment to meet their physical and psychological needs.

Stop putting profit over welfare!

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

There are already regulations about this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-activities-licensing-guidance-for-local-authorities/selling-animals-as-pets-licensing-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities--2

If you would like changes to the current regulation, you could start a petition about that.

Timeline

30 Mar 2026	Petition opened for signatures
27 Apr 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 27 Apr 2026

Follow this petition