Rabat – Morocco has introduced a new legal framework for dealing with stray animals, setting out how they should be reported, treated, vaccinated, sterilized, and, in certain cases, adopted.
Law No. 19.25 also establishes new responsibilities for pet owners and introduces fines and prison sentences for certain violations.
Here is a breakdown of the main rules:
What does the law consider a stray animal?
An animal is legally considered stray when it is temporarily or permanently in a public space without the control or supervision of its owner or keeper.
The definition covers animals found on streets, in residential buildings, and in other places open to the public.
Can people feed stray animals?
Not in public spaces.
The law prohibits individuals from housing, feeding, or treating stray animals in public places. These responsibilities are assigned to the centers established under the legislation.
Anyone who feeds, treats, or shelters a stray animal in a public space can face a fine of MAD 500 to MAD 2,000 ($54-$216).
Who will take care of stray animals?
The responsibility falls to designated animal-care centers.
These centers can capture and collect stray animals before transporting them for care.
Their responsibilities include identifying animals, assessing their health and behavior, providing food and veterinary treatment, vaccinating them, and carrying out sterilization.
The centers can also take measures to reduce the suffering of animals whose condition cannot be cured.
What happens to animals after they are taken in?
Depending on the circumstances, an animal may be returned to its original environment, released in another suitable location, or placed for adoption.
The centers can also hand animals over to people willing to take responsibility for them, provided the legal requirements are met.
The transfer can be free of charge or for a fee.
Is euthanasia allowed?
Yes, but only in specific situations.
Euthanasia may be considered when an animal is suffering from an incurable disease or disability. It may also be used when an animal poses a health risk to another animal.
The procedure must take place under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Can associations help with stray animals?
Yes.
Municipalities can work with legally established animal-protection associations through formal agreements.
The associations must have animal care among their objectives and demonstrate the necessary human and financial resources, experience, and expertise.
Will stray animals be tracked?
The law provides for a digital database dedicated to stray animals.
The database is intended to record identification numbers, information about the animals, the measures taken to care for them, and the centers responsible for their treatment.
Centers are responsible for entering and updating the information.
How can a dangerous stray animal be reported?
When an animal poses a risk to its own health or to the health and safety of citizens, it can be reported through an electronic platform created for this purpose.
In exceptional circumstances, local authorities may also intervene if an animal represents a threat to public order or public safety.
What must pet owners do?
The law introduces several obligations for animal owners.
Owners must declare their animals through an electronic platform and obtain a health record for each one.
Once an animal is registered, it receives an identification number that must be permanently attached to it.
Owners must also update the animal’s information when necessary, including after a change of ownership, serious illness, or death.
How quickly must a change of ownership be reported?
A change of ownership must be declared within 24 hours.
What happens if a pet goes missing?
The owner must report the loss within three days.
When the animal is found, its information must also be updated within three days.
If a lost pet is taken to a center and its identification shows that it has been registered, the center must immediately notify its owner.
How long does an owner have to recover a lost pet?
The owner has 10 days to retrieve the animal from the center.
They must also pay the costs associated with the animal’s care during its stay.
If the animal is not collected within those 10 days, it is considered abandoned.
What if someone no longer wants their animal?
Owners who want to give up an animal must take it to a designated care center rather than abandon it in a public space.
The center will provide a receipt and update the animal’s information accordingly.
What are the penalties for abusing a stray animal?
Intentionally killing, torturing, or injuring a stray animal can result in two to six months in prison and a fine of MAD 5,000 to MAD 20,000 ($540-$2,160), or one of these penalties.
The provision does not apply to euthanasia carried out in accordance with the law.
What is the penalty for abandoning an animal?
Deliberately abandoning an animal in a public space can result in a fine of MAD 10,000 to MAD 20,000 ($1,080-$2,159).
What happens if an owner fails to report a lost animal?
An owner who fails to declare an animal’s loss or does not update the relevant information can be fined MAD 5,000 to MAD 10,000 ($540-$1,080)
Are there penalties for failing to update an animal’s information?
Yes.
Owners who fail to update required information, do not surrender an animal to a center when they want to give it up, or fail to ensure that the animal permanently carries its identification number can face a fine of MAD 1,000 to MAD 10,000 ($108-$1,080).
Can centers be penalized too?
Yes.
An authorized center that fails to notify the owner after finding a registered animal can be fined MAD 10,000 to MAD 25,000 ($1,080-$2,700).
A center that fails to update information concerning an abandoned animal can face a fine of MAD 5,000 to MAD 15,000 ($540-$1,620).
What happens if someone repeats an offense?
The penalties are doubled in cases of repeat offenses.
What is the main aim of the law?
Law No. 19.25 seeks to establish a more structured system for dealing with stray animals while addressing concerns related to animal welfare, disease prevention, and public safety.
It places responsibility on dedicated centers, municipalities, associations, and animal owners, while introducing a system of identification and tracking alongside financial and criminal penalties for certain violations.
