KS2 · Ages 7–11Animals, Rules & the Law
Why we have rules to keep animals safe and well.
People who look after animals have to follow rules — because animals can’t speak up for themselves. The most famous set of rules is the Five Freedoms.
🖐️ The Five Freedoms
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1. Freedom from hunger and thirstThe right food and clean water.
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2. Freedom from discomfortA comfortable, sheltered place to live.
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3. Freedom from pain, injury and diseaseKept healthy, and treated if unwell.
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4. Freedom to behave normallySpace and company to act naturally.
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5. Freedom from fear and distressKept calm and never frightened.
In the UK, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 turned these into the law everyone must follow.
📜 Why some animals need a licence
A licence is special permission with rules attached. Some animals and places need one to make sure animals are safe and well looked after:
🦁 Zoos need a licence and get checked by inspectors, so the animals are cared for properly.
🐍 Some dangerous wild animals (like big cats or venomous snakes) need a special licence to keep people and animals safe.
🐶 Pet shops and dog breeders also need a licence, so animals are healthy and treated kindly.
🤔 Being a good citizen for animals
You can help too — by treating animals kindly, telling a grown-up if you see an animal that looks hurt or neglected, and learning what different animals really need.
✓ Check your understanding