Some pets, including many fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and some mammals, are not native to Great Britain. If owners were to release them into the wild, or they managed to escape, some could become invasive. This means they can harm native wildlife, be costly to the economy, or even affect our own health.

Releasing your pet into the wild might seem like the kindest thing to do if you can no longer look after it, particularly if it successfully survives. But non-native species can cause harm, or be harmed themselves, so that’s why pet owners need to take care not to let their pet escape and to find ways to rehome their pet if they can no longer look after it.

Impacts of invasive non-native species 

Invasive non-native species threaten the survival of our native wildlife and harm our natural ecosystems by:

• preying on native animals and plants
• competing with them for food and shelter
• damaging habitats
• spreading harmful diseases

Our natural world is already under pressure from many factors including climate change and habitat destruction. Invasive non-native species reduce the ability of native wildlife to cope with these pressures.

Each year established invasive non-native species (plants and animals) cost the economy nearly £2 billion, affecting us all. The impacts of invasive non-native animals include:

• interfering with the production of food and materials
• damaging buildings and infrastructure
• being pests in our homes
• harming human health, for example by spreading disease 

Pets in the wild

Here are some examples of pets that have become invasive non-native species after escaping or being deliberately released.

Ring necked parakeet

Flocks of these colourful – and noisy - birds can be seen flying in mainly urban areas in parts of England. It might feel special to see these exotic birds take to our skies but did you know they can compete for nest sites with native birds making it harder for them to reproduce? They can also be a noise nuisance in residential areas and cause significant damage to crops.

Alpine newt

This distinctive species was released into gardens and parks during the last century and populations have since become established in parts of England and Scotland. Alpine newts are known carriers of the amphibian chytrid fungus which is contributing to the decline and extinction of many amphibian species.

Pond fish

Coldwater fish live happily in garden ponds all year round. But if they find their way into waterways, like rivers or canals, they could survive and compete with native fish for spawning habitat and food and potentially hybridise with native fish.

Do you keep these animals?

The non-native animals below, known as species of special concern, can no longer be bought, sold or bred in the UK. If your pet is a species of special concern, there are strict rules you must follow:

• England and Wales: Invasive non-native (alien) animal species: rules in England and Wales - GOV.UK
• Scotland: view information for pet owners in Scotland.

Learn more about your legal responsibilities as an owner of a non-native pet.

List of non-native animal species of special concern

• Acridotheres tristis, Common myna
• Alopochen aegyptiacus, Egyptian goose
• Arthurdendyus triangulates, New Zealand flatworm
• Callosciurus erythraeus, Pallas’s squirrel
• Corvus splendens, Indian house crow
• Eriocheir sinensis, Chinese mitten crab
• Herpestes javanicus, Small Asian mongoose / Javan mongoose
• Lepomis gibbosus, Pumpkinseed
• Lithobates (Rana) catesbeianus, North American bullfrog
• Muntiacus reevesi, Muntjac deer
• Myocastor coypus, Coypu
• Nasua nasua, Coati
• Nyctereutes procyonoides, Raccoon dog
• Ondatra zibethicus, Muskrat
• Orconectes limosus (Faxonius limosus), Spiny-cheek crayfish
• Orconectes virilis (Faxonius virilis), Virile crayfish
• Oxyura jamaicensis, Ruddy duck
• Pacifastacus leniusculus, Signal crayfish
• Percottus glenii, Chinese sleeper/Amur sleeper
• Plotosus lineatus, Striped eel catfish
• Procambarus clarkii, Red swamp crayfish
• Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (Procambarus virginalis), Marbled crayfish
• Procyon lotor, Raccoon
• Pseudorasbora parva, Topmouth gudgeon (also known as stone moroko)
• Sciurus carolinensis, Grey squirrel
• Sciurus niger, Fox squirrel
• Tamias sibiricus, Siberian chipmunk
• Threskiornis aethiopicus, Sacred ibis
• Trachemys scripta, Terrapins - all subspecies including red-eared slider, yellow-bellied slider, Cumberland slider and common slider
• Vespa velutina nigrithorax, Yellow-legged hornet