What pets are illegal in the UK?

Here are some of the animals it is illegal to own in the UK:
  • Banned dog breeds. There are four breeds of dogs which are banned under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991. ...
  • Tigers. ...
  • Apes, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans. ...
  • Lemurs. ...
  • Wild dogs, wolves and similar. ...
  • Big cats. ...
  • Giraffe. ...
  • Certain spider breeds.
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What animals Can you legally own in the UK?

11 of the most unusual exotic pets you can keep in the UK
  1. Capybara. This large rodent is infact the largest rodent in the world and weighs about 35-65kg. ...
  2. Marmoset Monkey. ...
  3. Octopus. ...
  4. Sugar Glider. ...
  5. Giant African Land Snail. ...
  6. African Pygmy Hedgehogs. ...
  7. Mexican Walking Fish – Axolotl. ...
  8. Tarantula.
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What animal are illegal in the UK?

Apes, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans. The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 makes it illegal to own animals from the Hominidae family without a proper license. These include: Anthropoid apes; chimpanzees, bonobos, orang-utans and gorillas.
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Are exotic pets illegal in the UK?

You need a licence to keep some animals considered to be wild, dangerous or exotic. Apply to your local council for a licence to keep a wild animal. You need a licence to keep some animals, eg: wild cats.
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How many pets can you legally own UK?

You may keep 1 dog and 1 cat if the access to your home is not by a shared entrance. You may keep an assistance dog in a property with a shared entrance if you have our written permission…” The important point here is that councils have their own policies about their tenants keeping dogs and other pets.
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Top 10 list: 10 exotic pets you can actually keep in the UK 2022



Can you own a penguin in the UK?

Penguins are adorable and interesting creatures. They're a ton of fun to watch and they fill you with the overwhelming desire to hold them. But you should stick to viewing these birds at the zoo and in nature documentaries. The reality of keeping penguins as pets is that it's not feasible, and it's certainly not legal.
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Can you have a wolf as a pet UK?

In the UK, hybrid wolves are legal as pets as long as they are three generations away from the wolf. They fall under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, which means wolf-dogs require a licence if you want to keep them at home.
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Can I have a sloth as a pet UK?

Simply put, sloths have not undergone the changes that our beloved dogs and cats have. They still possess all of their wild qualities, which make them unsuitable pets.
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Can you own a giraffe in the UK?

Giraffes also need licencing for keeping in the UK. This is considerably more expensive than your TV licence as extremely high and robust fencing is required to keep them from straying. Another condition of a licence would be that a suitable building is needed.
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Can you own a fox in the UK?

“Legally, there is no restriction on keeping foxes as pets in England and Wales, but foxes have not been domesticated and a fox in captivity would have the same needs as in the wild. “If a fox is taken into captivity, then it will be protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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Can I buy a crocodile UK?

Have you ever wondered if you could actually keep a crocodile as a pet on these non-tropical shores? The answer might surprise you. Yes, in theory you can keep a crocodile in the UK. But you need to declare it and have a licence.
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Can I own a crocodile UK?

IS IT LEGAL TO KEEP A DANGEROUS WILD ANIMAL AS A PET IN THE UK? Sadly yes. There is no prohibition on keeping most species of wild animal as pets in the UK.
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Can I own a tiger UK?

It is illegal to keep a pet tiger or any wild animal in the UK as a pet without a license. Under The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 'no person shall keep any dangerous wild animal except under the authority of a licence granted in accordance with the provisions of this Act by a local authority. '
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Can I buy a monkey UK?

Pet Monkey Law UK Legislation and Guidance. Currently, it is not against the law to buy a small monkey from pet shops in Great Britain. They do not perform background checks or issue any licences. That means, in many cases, buying a pet monkey can be as easy as buying a pet bunny rabbit or a goldfish.
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Can you own a sword in the UK?

UK Law does not require you to have a license to purchase or own a sword. All of the weaponry on our site is legal within the UK. If you are ordering from overseas it is best to check with your local law enforcement office before placing your order.
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Can you buy a Komodo dragon UK?

Since Komodo Dragons are an endangered species, it's currently illegal to own one.
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Can you have a meerkat as a pet UK?

Are meerkats legal to own in the UK? While it's currently legal to own a meerkat as a pet, it's also a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act that owners meet all their needs in a way that allows for natural behaviours.
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Can you get a pet raccoon UK?

There are strict restrictions on keeping them and they can no longer be legally bred or sold. Anyone who already owned a raccoon before the regulations were introduced in August 2016 is allowed to keep them.
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Can you get sugar gliders in the UK?

The Sugar Glider is usually found in the warmer climes of Australia or New Guinea, but it is increasingly seen in UK homes of exotic pet owners.
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Are Axolotls legal in the UK?

Young axolotl can become cannibalistic to others, and so should not be housed together while they are young, making it one of the weirdest exotic pets you can own in the UK.
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Can you have a koala as a pet?

The Australian Koala Foundation says it's illegal to keep a koala as a pet anywhere in the world. Not even Australians can own one. But there are some exceptions. Authorized zoos can keep koalas, and occasionally scientists can keep them.
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Can you buy a zebra in the UK?

Wild animals including lions, tigers, crocodiles, rattlesnakes and zebras are being kept legally on private property across the UK, figures have revealed.
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Can you have a pet fox?

The reality is they don't make great pets, and in some states it is illegal to own one. Foxes are wild animals, meaning they have not been domesticated. Unlike other species like dogs and cats, which have been bred to live easily with people, foxes don't do well as indoor animals.
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Can you own a pitbull in the UK?

In the UK, it's against the law to own certain types of dog. These are the: Pit Bull Terrier.
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Are Huskies part wolf?

Facts. MYTH: Huskies and Malamutes are half-wolf. FACT: Huskies and Malamutes are completely separate species from the wolf.
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