Align Gibraltar’s Animal Welfare Laws with the United Kingdom

Recent signers:
Sue Schuemmer and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

How we treat animals says everything about who we are as a society.

In Gibraltar, many of us deeply care about animals. We love our pets. We support rescues. We speak out against cruelty. But our laws do not yet fully reflect the same modern protections that exist in the United Kingdom.

The UK introduced the Animal Welfare Act 2006, a comprehensive law that clearly defines a duty of care for animal owners and imposes strong penalties for cruelty and neglect. It ensures animals are properly protected, and that abuse has real consequences.

As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar should uphold the same standards.

Currently, our animal welfare legislation is still largely based on older frameworks and is not consolidated into one clear, modern Act. This can lead to gaps in protection and inconsistent enforcement.

By adopting a modern Animal Welfare Act equivalent to the UK’s, Gibraltar would:

  • Clearly define responsibilities for animal owners.
  • Strengthen penalties for cruelty and neglect.
  • Improve enforcement.
  • Protect both animals and public safety.
  • This is not about criticism, it is about progress.

Animals cannot speak for themselves. We can.

By signing this petition, you are calling on HM Government of Gibraltar to align Gibraltar’s animal welfare laws with the United Kingdom and ensure animals here receive the same level of protection.

Together, we can raise the standard.

 

‼️NO NEED TO DONATE‼️Donations shown after signing go to Change.org to support the platform. I am not raising funds, this petition is purely for awareness and legal reform.

1,004

Recent signers:
Sue Schuemmer and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

How we treat animals says everything about who we are as a society.

In Gibraltar, many of us deeply care about animals. We love our pets. We support rescues. We speak out against cruelty. But our laws do not yet fully reflect the same modern protections that exist in the United Kingdom.

The UK introduced the Animal Welfare Act 2006, a comprehensive law that clearly defines a duty of care for animal owners and imposes strong penalties for cruelty and neglect. It ensures animals are properly protected, and that abuse has real consequences.

As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar should uphold the same standards.

Currently, our animal welfare legislation is still largely based on older frameworks and is not consolidated into one clear, modern Act. This can lead to gaps in protection and inconsistent enforcement.

By adopting a modern Animal Welfare Act equivalent to the UK’s, Gibraltar would:

  • Clearly define responsibilities for animal owners.
  • Strengthen penalties for cruelty and neglect.
  • Improve enforcement.
  • Protect both animals and public safety.
  • This is not about criticism, it is about progress.

Animals cannot speak for themselves. We can.

By signing this petition, you are calling on HM Government of Gibraltar to align Gibraltar’s animal welfare laws with the United Kingdom and ensure animals here receive the same level of protection.

Together, we can raise the standard.

 

‼️NO NEED TO DONATE‼️Donations shown after signing go to Change.org to support the platform. I am not raising funds, this petition is purely for awareness and legal reform.

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Petition created on 19 February 2026