Happy, healthy pets start with good information
Friendly, practical guides to caring for dogs, cats, rabbits, small pets, birds and reptiles, drawing on advice from UK animal charities, vets and the law.
Who are you caring for?
Guides for real pet-owner moments
From choosing the right pet to keeping them safe and settled through life's changes.
New on Pet Ranch Store
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Keeping a Horse, Pony or Donkey in England: What Defra’s Welfare Code Says About Grazing Space, Shelter, Stable Sizes, Company, Tethering and the Passport and Microchip Rules (Defra and GOV.UK)
Defra’s code of practice for horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids is not law in itself, but a court looks at it in a…
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Dog Licences in the Republic of Ireland: The €20 Annual, €140 Lifetime and €400 General Licence, Who Is Exempt, Microchipping Before 12 Weeks and the On-the-Spot Fines (Citizens Information and gov.ie)
In the Republic of Ireland a dog over 4 months old must have a licence: 20 euro for a year, 140 euro for life…
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Buying a Pet From a Shop or Online Seller in England: What the Selling Animals as Pets Licence Requires of Adverts, Staff Advice and the Animals Offered for Sale (GOV.UK and Defra)
In England a business selling animals as pets needs a council licence, including home-based and online sellers. GOV.UK and Defra’s inspector guidance set out…
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Pet Terrapins, Raccoons and Other Listed Invasive Animals in England and Wales: What Defra’s GOV.UK Guidance Says About Keeping a Pet Owned Before Listing, Walks, Breeding, Rehoming and Never Releasing
Defra’s GOV.UK guidance lists 30 invasive non-native animals, including terrapins. For England and Wales it sets out the exception for pets owned before listing,…
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The Cat Code of Practice for England: Five Needs, the “What You Should Do” Lists on Rest, Water, Scratching, Other Cats and Identification, and the Code’s Legal Status, According to Defra
Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats, in force in England from 6 April 2018, explained term by term: the five needs…
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Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in England: What It Says About Rest Areas, Water, Exercise, Training, Time Alone and Identification, and What Its Legal Status Is
What Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs (England) says about rest areas, water, exercise, training, time alone and identification, and why…
