Law No. 97-VII “On responsible treatment of animals.”

This Law regulates public relations in the field of responsible treatment of animals in order to protect them, ensure safety, strengthen morality and observance of the principles of humaneness of society when dealing with animals, as well as protection of the rights and legitimate interests of natural persons and legal entities when handling animals. It shall be applicable to wild fauna species, service animals, pets, laboratory animals bred and used for scientific research purposes, and stray animals. The principles governing the responsible treatment of animals are: (a) treating animals as beings capable of experiencing pain and physical suffering; (b) personal responsibility of the owner for life, health and well-being of animal; (c) protection of animals from cruelty; and (d) instilling in the population a moral and humane attitude towards animals. Cruelty to animals is prohibited. The following actions shall not be considered cruelty to animals: (a) treatment of an animal in the event of an animal attack on a person and (or) animal and other cases when the animal poses a threat to the life or health of humans, animals, as well as public order and safety; (b) deratization; (c) use of animals to feed other animals kept in captivity and (or) semi-free conditions; (d) authorized by acting legislation hunting, fishing or fishfarming, regulation of the number of wild fauna species, slaughter of farm animals, veterinary measures, euthanasia; and (e) slaughter of animals during religious ceremonies by followers of religious associations registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan, if this is envisaged by their religion. The general requirements for keeping animals include: (a) conditions for keeping animals, which must correspond to their biological, species and individual characteristics, satisfy their natural needs; and (b) ensuring the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and elimination of animal diseases in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of veterinary medicine. This Law 7 Chapters divided into 31 Articles. Chapter 1 lays down general provisions. Chapter 2 regards state regulation in the field of responsible treatment of animals. Chapter 3 establishes basic requirements for keeping and treatment of animals. Chapter 4 establishes the particulars of treatment, keeping and use of some animal species. Chapter 5 establishes requirements for treatment of ownerless and stray animals. Chapter 6 establishes public control over enforcement of the legislation on responsible treatment of animals. Chapter 7 lays down final and transitional provisions.