Law 19.25: $300 Fine for Feeding Stray Animals

Marrakech – Morocco’s government has introduced a controversial bill that would impose fines on citizens who feed or care for stray animals.

The draft law 19.25, titled “Protection of Stray Animals and Prevention of Associated Dangers,” was approved by the Council of Government on July 10 and is currently under parliamentary review. The comprehensive bill contains 55 articles divided into seven chapters.

The legislation, submitted to the House of Representatives on July 18 and forwarded to the Productive Sectors Committee on July 22, has unleashed a firestorm of controversy among animal welfare advocates and deeply polarized public opinion between those prioritizing public safety and those fiercely defending animal protection.

Article 5 of the proposed law explicitly prohibits “any person from taking care of a stray animal, whether by sheltering, feeding, or treating it.” Violations could result in fines ranging from MAD 1,500 ($150) to MAD 3,000 ($300) for those caught providing assistance to stray animals in public spaces, including streets and residential complexes.

Animal welfare activists have expressed outrage at this provision, arguing that compassionate citizens are not the problem but rather compensate for inadequate public policies. They point to the paradox that the same law claims to protect animals from cruelty while criminalizing basic acts of kindness.

Despite these restrictions, the bill strengthens penalties against animal cruelty. Article 36 stipulates prison sentences of two to six months and fines between MAD 5,000 ($500) and MAD 20,000 ($2,000), or one of these penalties, for anyone who “intentionally kills, tortures, or injures a stray animal in any manner.”

Owners must declare their pets

The legislation imposes strict obligations on pet owners through a comprehensive registration system. Owners must declare their animals on an electronic platform, provide health records, and ensure their pets wear permanent identification numbers.

Lost animals must be reported within three days, and all changes in status (death, illness, transfer of ownership) must be updated promptly.

Penalties for non-compliance are substantial. Owners who fail to register their pets or provide health records face fines between MAD 5,000 ($500) and MAD 15,000 ($1,500). Those who deliberately abandon animals risk fines up to MAD 20,000 ($2,000).

Failure to update information after a pet’s death or serious illness can result in fines between MAD 5,000 ($500) and MAD 15,000 ($1,500).

The draft law defines stray animals as those present, permanently or temporarily, in public spaces without owner supervision. It establishes an electronic platform for reporting stray animals that pose health or safety risks.

If a lost animal is recovered at a care center and its disappearance has been previously reported, the center must contact the owner, who has ten days to retrieve their pet and pay associated care costs. Animals not claimed within this period will be considered abandoned.

Centers capture, treat, sterilize, and rehome stray animals

A cornerstone of the bill is the establishment of specialized care centers within local communities, supervised by veterinarians.

These facilities will capture, house, treat, feed, and vaccinate stray animals while implementing sterilization programs. Centers failing to notify owners about recovered pets face fines between MAD 10,000 ($1,000) and MAD 25,000 ($2,500).

These centers will have multiple responsibilities. They will locate, capture, and transport stray animals using appropriate methods. The centers will evaluate animals’ health and behavior while accepting surrendered pets from owners.

They will provide necessary medical care and disease prevention measures, including vaccination against serious or contagious diseases. The facilities will implement scientific methods to limit reproduction, particularly for cats and dogs.

When necessary, they may euthanize animals with incurable conditions or those posing dangers to public health. The centers will also release treated animals to appropriate environments, facilitate adoptions, and raise public awareness about animal welfare.

Local authorities may delegate certain responsibilities to animal protection associations that meet specific criteria, including legal status, relevant mission statements, and sufficient resources. These partnerships will be governed by conventions specifying responsibilities, human resources, and control mechanisms.

Private entities may also establish care centers with proper authorization, valid for five years and subject to annual inspections. These centers must operate under a veterinarian’s supervision and follow specific technical criteria regarding capacity, equipment, health standards, and staff qualifications.

The bill introduces substantial penalties for non-compliance. Unauthorized centers risk fines up to MAD 500,000 ($50,000), while centers operating without veterinary supervision face penalties up to MAD 100,000 ($10,000).

Individuals who obstruct the work of control committees or care centers can face one to three months imprisonment and fines between MAD 10,000 ($1,000) and MAD 35,000 ($3,500).

According to government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas, the legislation addresses “a major challenge requiring urgent state response” due to the “anarchic proliferation” of stray animals in public spaces, which increases risks of serious infectious diseases, traffic accidents, and attacks on citizens.

Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit stated during a parliamentary session on July 23 the need to manage this issue responsibly, balancing citizen security with animal rights. He acknowledged the multidimensional nature of the problem – health, safety, and ethical considerations.

Animal welfare activists advocate for the TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) program, which they note is validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was endorsed by a royal convention in 2019.

While the bill aims to address legitimate public health concerns, critics argue it risks isolating stray animals rather than promoting respectful coexistence.

The legislation will take effect upon publication in the Official Bulletin, although provisions requiring regulatory texts will only be implemented after these texts are published.