On 6 April 2026, new licensing regulations governing the keeping of primates as pets in England officially came into force. These changes follow years of campaigning by Freedom for Animals alongside a coalition of animal protection organisations, experts and advocates who have long raised serious concerns about the welfare of primates kept in private homes.

Primates are not ‘domesticated’ animals. They are highly intelligent, socially complex beings with specialised physical, psychological and environmental needs. In the wild, many species live in intricate social groups, travel large distances, and engage in a wide range of natural behaviours that simply cannot be replicated in a domestic setting. As a result, the keeping of primates as pets has consistently led to poor welfare, including social isolation, psychological distress, and physical health issues.

Recognition of a Longstanding Welfare Crisis

The introduction of a licensing system marks an important acknowledgement by the government that primates are fundamentally unsuitable as ‘pets’. For too long, these animals have been kept in conditions that fail to meet even their most basic needs, often hidden from public view.

This legislation sets minimum standards for housing, care and record-keeping, and requires individuals wishing to keep primates to obtain a licence. It is, in part, the result of years of evidence-gathering, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative advocacy across the animal protection sector.

Why Licensing Falls Short

However, while this change represents progress, Freedom for Animals remains clear: licensing systems are not a sufficient solution to protect animals from exploitation and harm.

Licensing places responsibility for enforcement on local authorities - many of which are already overstretched and under-resourced. In practice, this raises serious concerns about whether inspections will be carried out consistently, whether standards will be properly assessed, and whether breaches will be effectively addressed.

Our work investigating the use of animals in mobile zoos and animal encounter activities has repeatedly demonstrated the shortcomings of similar licensing regimes. Time and again, we have documented cases where:

• Inspections are infrequent or inadequate

• Welfare concerns are overlooked or underestimated

• Enforcement action is inconsistent or delayed

• Animals continue to suffer, enduring inappropriate or neglectful conditions

These systemic issues are not unique to one area of exploitation, or animal use; they reflect broader limitations in relying on licensing as a sufficient safeguard for animal welfare.

A System That Still Allows Suffering

Crucially, the new regulations still permit primates to be kept in private ownership under licence. From an animal rights perspective, this is fundamentally problematic and unethical.

No matter how detailed the standards may be, a domestic environment cannot meet the complex needs of a wild animal. Licensing may improve some conditions, but it cannot address the core issue.

That primates should not be kept as ‘pets’ at all.

The Need for Stronger Protection

Freedom for Animals believes that the only effective way to protect primates from suffering in private homes is through a complete ban on their keeping as ‘pets’.

We will continue working with the wider animal protection movement to push for stronger legislation that reflects both the scientific understanding of primate welfare, and the ethical imperative to respect their autonomy as wild animals and individuals.

And we will not stop exposing the realities of keeping wild animals in captivity, challenging ineffective regulatory systems, and campaigning for a future where primates - and all animals - are free from exploitation.