Animal Welfare Act 2006 Information about the Act When does the new law come into effect? From 6 April 2007 in England, and in Wales from 27 March, animal welfare law is being improved. It is still against the law to be cruel to an animal. But now you must also ensure that all the welfare needs of your animals are met. What does the new law do? It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. These include the need: For a suitable environment (place to live) For a suitable diet To exhibit normal behaviour patterns To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable) To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease The new law also increases to 16 the minimum age at which a person can buy an animal and prohibits giving animals as prizes to unaccompanied children under this age.  Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.   Click Here For more information about the Animal Welfare Act 2006. DEFRA