Up to 5,000 Pets Face Capture and Death in England Starting 6 April Under Proposed Ban

Thousands of pet monkeys across the United Kingdom may soon be subject to seizure, and in some cases euthanasia, as a sweeping new animal welfare law comes into force this spring. The legislation, designed to curb the private keeping of primates, has sparked concern among owners, campaigners, and councils, particularly as licensing uptake remains strikingly low.

Animal welfare experts have long warned that primates' complex needs make them unsuitable for life in private homes. Those concerns now sit at the heart of new rules that will soon give authorities the power to intervene.

What Happens to Pet Monkeys Under the New Law

From 6 April, local authorities will gain the power to confiscate privately owned primates if owners cannot prove they meet strict welfare standards. These animals include marmosets, capuchins, and squirrel monkeys, with an estimated total number of between 4,000 and 5,000 in UK homes.

Once seized, responsibility for the animals transfers to councils. Chris Lewis of wildlife charity Born Free told The Sunday Times: 'If primates have serious health conditions, there will have to be decisions made as to what is the kindest thing for that animal.'

Although a number of healthy monkeys could potentially be relocated to specialised sanctuaries, the availability of space remains constrained. Animals with serious health or behavioural issues may be euthanised if finding a new home is not viewed as a humane option.

What's Changing and Who is Affected?

The ban was signed into law in 2024 under the Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak and will be enforced through new licensing rules in England. Owners must now prove they can provide 'zoo-level' care, including large indoor and outdoor enclosures, proper UV lighting, environmental enrichment, and specialist diets. They must also obtain a licence from their local authority.

'Anyone who fails to provide the same welfare standards as found in a zoo faces a fine and having the primate removed from their care', former Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas-Miller stated.

Despite applications opening more than a year ago, freedom of information data shows that only three licence applications had been submitted by November 2025, the Daily Mail reported. This has fuelled fears that thousands of owners will fail to comply once enforcement begins.

From Status Symbol to Scrutiny

The keeping of monkeys as pets has surged in recent years, driven largely by social media and celebrity influence. Viral videos often show primates dressed in clothes or interacting with humans in ways that appear playful but mask serious welfare concerns.

High-profile cases have also normalised the trend. Pop star Justin Bieber's capuchin monkey, OG Mally, was confiscated by German customs in 2013 after being brought into the country without proper documentation. Similar scrutiny has surrounded other celebrities, including Chris Brown and Michael Jackson, over their ownership of such animals.

More personalities have previously owned or showcased exotic animals, reinforcing the idea that primates can adapt to domestic life—something experts strongly dispute. Animal welfare groups stress that primates are highly intelligent, social animals whose needs cannot be met in typical homes.

Support for Stronger Animal Protection

Animal welfare organisations overwhelmingly support the legislation. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has long campaigned for tighter controls, arguing domestic environments are fundamentally unsuitable for primates.

In its website, RSPCA said that primates are wild, highly intelligent, and social animals with complex needs that domestic environments simply can't meet. They require large spaces, specialised diets and mental stimulation, and also need to live with other primates.

The group added that as they mature, primates can become aggressive and potentially dangerous, and keeping them alone is considered inhumane. They also often develop serious health problems without proper care, and specialist veterinary services are expensive and hard to find.

RSPCA warned that many species live for decades, making them a long-term commitment few owners are prepared for.

Local authorities, meanwhile, have raised concerns about funding and enforcement. The Local Government Association has warned councils will need proper financial support to manage the licensing process, inspections, seizures, and long-term care responsibilities.