Primates as pets

National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW) Position Statement

Primates such as monkey and chimpanzees are not suitable as pets because:

• their social needs, which includes the company of other monkeys, cannot be met
  
  
• they need environmental enrichment and have strict requirements for housing, including security and access to the outdoors
  
  
• they can transfer serious diseases to humans
  
  
• the safety and welfare of other animals can be compromised if they escape, and
  
  
• they have complex dietary requirements that owners may not be aware of.

NCCAW's Position

People already keeping primates as pets should continue to do so, provided they meet strict standards for housing and welfare, and have a thorough knowledge of the species and its needs.

NCCAW recognises that primates are held as pets, but recommends that the practice be phased out.

People keeping primates should be licensed, subject to their facilities and management skills meeting satisfactory standards, (the standards are similar to those required for primate exhibitors, eg. circuses).

They should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the species and its requirements, including diet, welfare, social and behavioural needs and so on. In view of phasing out private ownership of primates, breeding in these situations should be prevented.

Once the present round of licenses has been issued, future licenses will be issued only under exceptional circumstances.

This Draft Position Statement was first published in November 1995 and was reviewed by NCCAW on 20 February 2008. NCCAW made the decision to retain it without amendment.