Are Roof Rats Legal in the United Kingdom? Keeping, Breeding & Selling

Keeping / owning   Legal

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-07

No statute bans mere possession of a captive-bred roof rat: the genus Rattus (family Muridae) is absent from the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 schedule, it’s not under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932, and it’s not on Schedule 2 of the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 (the possession-ban list). Owners owe the Animal Welfare Act 2006 duty of care. Because R. rattus IS on Schedule 9 of the WCA 1981, releasing it or letting it escape is a criminal offence, and a trapped one may not be released back to the wild.

Sources: UK Government / legislation.gov.uk, UK Government / Defra, UK Government / legislation.gov.uk

Breeding   Legal

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-07

Purely private, non-commercial hobby breeding is unregulated (no statutory litter limits), subject to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The moment it becomes commercial (profit intent, >£1,000/yr gross from animal sales, dealing, or systematic advertising of litters), it requires a local-authority Animal Welfare licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 (England) / 2021 (Wales & Scotland). Never let breeding stock escape (Sch. 9).

Sources: Defra / local authorities, UK Government / legislation.gov.uk

Selling or giving away   Legal with a permit

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-07

GREAT BRITAIN: selling as a business needs a local-authority Animal Welfare licence (the ‘business test’ / £1,000 HMRC trading allowance); inspectors may classify the roof rat under ‘Part I, other non-domestic mammals’ (higher burden, invasive-species containment) rather than ‘Part H, domestic small rodents’. Giving one away free is generally outside the commercial ‘sale’ test. NORTHERN IRELAND: selling, offering for sale, or transporting for sale is an OUTRIGHT CRIMINAL OFFENCE (Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, Art. 15A; R. rattus is on Sch. 9 Part 1), no licensing pathway exists; even advertising is barred.

Sources: Defra / local authorities, DAERA / legislation.gov.uk

Transport & import   Legal with a permit

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-07

DOMESTIC: legal under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006, but use gnaw-proof, escape-proof carriers, because an escape in transit is a strict-liability offence (WCA 1981 s.14/Sch. 9). IMPORT: the roof rat is a rabies-susceptible non-native mammal EXCLUDED from the Pet Travel Scheme; you must apply for an APHA Rabies Import Licence (Form RM01), non-EU origin means up to 4 months quarantine; EU origin may be exempt if captive-bred/kept since birth. Northern Ireland adds Windsor-Framework pre-notification. No CITES permit (not endangered).

Sources: APHA / UK Government, UK Government / legislation.gov.uk

Source: UK Government / legislation.gov.uk

• GB: apply to your local council for an Animal Activity Licence if you cross the business threshold
• NI: do not sell/offer/transport-for-sale (Art. 15A)

Where: Local authority (GB); n/a (NI, prohibited) · Fees: Set by local authority

Source: Defra / local authorities, DAERA / legislation.gov.uk

• Apply for APHA Form RM01 at least 4 weeks before import
• Provide captive-bred-since-birth evidence to seek a quarantine exemption (EU origin)

Forms: APHA Rabies Import Licence (Form RM01) · Where: APHA Centre for International Trade, Carlisle · Fees: Quarantine at owner’s expense

Source: APHA / UK Government