RSPCA warn cafés are no place for capybaras as UK-first establishment set to open

Animal welfare advocates have raised serious concerns about proposals to introduce capybaras into UK cafes, warning that such settings pose unacceptable risks to both public safety and the animals’ well-being.

Capybaras, native to the wetlands and savannas of South America, are wild animals—not domesticated pets. Unlike dogs or cats, they have not undergone generations of adaptation to human environments. Even those born in captivity retain the instincts and needs of their wild counterparts, making them ill-suited to busy, enclosed spaces like cafes.

Experts point out that capybaras are crepuscular, meaning they are naturally active at dawn and dusk and rest during the day—precisely when cafes are busiest. Forcing them to engage with visitors during their natural rest periods can cause chronic stress. Additionally, their native climate is warm and tropical, a stark contrast to the UK’s colder seasons. Maintaining appropriate temperatures year-round would be both difficult and costly.

The physical and psychological needs of capybaras are complex. They require quiet environments, access to deep water for swimming and thermoregulation, and large grassy areas for grazing. They also depend on strong social bonds within stable family groups. According to Wild Welfare, a global animal welfare organisation, captive capybaras need privacy from humans and opportunities to socialise with other capybaras—conditions that are incompatible with the interactive nature of animal cafes.

Safety concerns extend to the public as well. Capybaras possess sharp, continuously growing teeth and may bite if they feel threatened or cornered. In a noisy, crowded cafe, the risk of defensive behaviour increases significantly. Injuries from bites can be severe, particularly for children.

Moreover, capybaras are known carriers of zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. These include a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. While some are more prevalent in their native habitats, cases in Europe have shown that captive capybaras can still pose serious health risks. Infections passed to humans have resulted in severe illness and, in rare cases, death.

The use of wild animals in commercial entertainment settings such as cafes or petting zoos raises profound ethical and practical concerns. These venues cannot meet the animals’ needs and expose the public to unnecessary risks. Advocates argue that therapeutic or leisure experiences should never come at the expense of animal welfare or public health.

Organisers are urged to reconsider their plans and explore alternatives that do not involve placing wild animals in unsuitable environments.