Law No. 14 of 2022 on the Regulation of the Treatment of Pets and Stray Animals.

This Law, comprising 24 articles, aims to (i) protect domestic and stray animals, safeguard veterinary health, and regulate their breeding and handling; (ii) regulate the treatment of animals; (iii) promote a culture of animal welfare in areas not covered by existing laws; (iv) protect human health, the environment, and public health from harm caused by domestic and stray animals. The General Directorate of Animal Resources and Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources undertakes the following tasks (i) a. establish clinics specializing in animal health and form mobile veterinary teams to provide first aid and treatment; b. assess disease outbreak risks and control them through field inspections and laboratory diagnosis; c. conduct vaccination campaigns, isolate and quarantine animals, and treat or cull sick animals in accordance with applicable laws; (ii) establish shelters for stray, impounded, and sick animals requiring special care, ensuring their registration, protection, and health; (iii) a. conduct continuous field surveys of stray animals; b. register pets and their owners, organize identification systems, and maintain health records for both pets and stray animals. Individuals must report sick or vulnerable animals, while a specialized inter-agency veterinary committee is responsible for maintaining animal population balance in accordance with modern health standards. Authorities designate and supervise approved animal markets and exhibitions, prohibit trading in wild animals, and impose fines, doubled for repeat offenses, with possible closure for violations.
Prohibited acts against pets are listed in Article 7 as follows (i) committing any intentional act that results in the torture or harm of an animal; (ii) poisoning, intentionally or through negligence; (iii) sacrificing a pet for the purpose of hunting or killing another animal; (iv) instigating fights between animals or birds that result in harm or death to one of them; (v) using any stimulants, hormones, or steroids on an animal without a veterinary prescription; (vi) publishing images or videos of the acts mentioned in this paragraph on social media and other online platforms. The Article provides for penalties in the event of a violation. Article 8 restricts raising or training animals in groups and limits individual keeping if it harms urban appearance, health, or the environment, while allowing regulated exceptions (e.g., zoos and licensed facilities) under official supervision and defined standards. While under Article 9, natural or legal persons may raise and breed pets for the purpose of trade, personal use, or hobby, and this shall be regulated by instructions issued by the Minister. Article 10 requires pet owners to ensure proper care, including suitable living conditions, nutrition, health care, vaccination, safe transport, registration, and reporting of disease or death, while prohibiting any form of neglect, misuse, or harm to the animal. Article 11 imposes additional obligations on dog and cat owners, including registration, identification tagging, and obtaining veterinary health certification, with quarantine or confiscation for non-compliance. The Law establishes that a local multi-agency committee is established to oversee the collection, quarantine, and transfer of sick or vulnerable animals to shelters.