Independent report

AWC opinion on the space requirements for snakes in vivaria within pet selling establishments

Animal Welfare Committee opinion on the welfare of snakes housed in vivaria in licensed pet selling establishments in England.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 5 June 2023

Applies to England

Documents

AWC opinion on the space requirements for snakes in vivaria within pet selling establishments

PDF, 383 KB, 19 pages

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Details

This Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) opinion considers whether there is any evidence, on welfare grounds, to support a minimum standard length for vivaria housing snakes in pet selling establishments in England, and what this minimum length should be. The paper also gives an opinion on the maximum time period for snakes to be kept in restricted vivaria, as well as giving wider recommendations about the keeping of exotic pets. This AWC opinion was sent to government on 13 December 2021.

You can read more about the work of the Animal Welfare Committee.

Published 5 June 2023