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Recent changes to UK pet law
Changes to the rules our guides cover, newest first.
1 November 2026 (coming up)
A new condition for XL Bully exemptions: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an XL Bully in a private place without adult supervision. See XL Bully rules.
1 July 2026
Third-party public liability insurance stopped being a condition of exemption for banned-type dogs.
1 May 2026
Tenants with assured tenancies in England gained the right to request a pet, which landlords must not unreasonably refuse. See pets and renting.
22 April 2026
Great Britain residents can no longer use EU pet passports to take pets into the EU, and need an Animal Health Certificate for each trip. See taking pets abroad.
24 March 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority published its final decision on vet services. See vet fees and your rights.
1 January 2025
Owning an XL Bully without an exemption certificate became illegal in Northern Ireland.
24 August 2024
Dog and cat abduction became specific offences in England and Northern Ireland. See pet theft law.
10 June 2024
Microchipping became compulsory for owned cats in England. See microchipping law.
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Open Be Pet WiseBrowse all guidesReviewed 2026-09-23. General information for the UK, not veterinary or legal advice. See how we check.