Issue description

Pet registration and welfare

 

26.07.2019.

 

The domestic animal is a dog, cat or ferret. It is important for any owner to be aware of their obligations towards the animal, taking care of it and maintaining it, so that it feels good and does not create any trouble for the surroundings. Animal owners and keepers have access to e-services that will facilitate the completion of formalities related to the holding of an animal and help them to find useful information.
 

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1. Purchase and sale of a pet animal 1. Purchase and sale of a pet animal

There are a number of possibilities to acquire a pet – take it from someone familiar, buy it from an animal club, via advertisements, or take it from a shelter.

 

When purchasing a home pet, do not forget to design a purchase-sale agreement to be sure that the purchase of an animal is legitimate and yours consumer rights protected.

 

The majority of breeders organisations shall issue standard contracts to their members, which shall be non-exhaustive following the agreement of the parties to the contract. If there is no finished agreement, you can also write the agreement yourself.

 

When purchasing an animal, do not forget to take animal-related documents from the previous owner of the animal, a vaccination certificate or passport, which is a mandatory requirement for the marketing of animals. This document must clearly contain the date of birth, species, sex, colour and vaccination date of the animal and the microchip number. The home (room) animal does not need both these documents – both documents provide for the recording of vaccinations performed on the animal.

 

The difference is whether the animal is intended to travel outside the national borders: if yes, a passport is required, if not, a vaccination certificate is sufficient. If the above documents are not available, be very careful, as you will take the risk of being unregistered, may not appear to be of particular variety, it may be ill that the seller may not be an owner, etc.

 

Information on the agricultural data centre's website is available on registered breeding organisations.

 

Another option for getting a room animal is choosing a dog or cat from an animal shelter. Refer to the rules, requirements and expenses of adoption at the shelter of your interest.

 

If you want to engage in animal rearing and marketing, you must register economic activity. Economic activity may be registered in the SRS Electronic Declaration System. It is also possible to register economic activity in person at any SRS customer service centre by presenting a passport or identity card (eID card) and filling in taxpayer registration page. For the ability to register your business more, see Company Registration.

 

Regardless of whether animals are reproduced for themselves or for trade, certain conditions must be fulfilled: the animal owner must be trained in animal welfare and have received a training document (or with an existing relevant education in veterinary medicine, biology or cinema), the conditions for disposal must be met, ensuring that there is no more than one litter of babies during the year, etc. the rights and obligations of the owner and keeper of the home (room) animal and the uncontrolled reproduction of the animals should not be allowed.

 

2. Vaccination and microchip2. Vaccination and microchip

To register a pet, it must have an implanted chip or microchip. Microchipping and first registration of animals shall be carried out by a certified veterinarian.

 

Each dog must be vaccinated against rabies. A practising veterinarian shall register information in the database regarding the vaccination against rabies of the registered home (room) animal.

 

Animals should be vaccinated against infectious diseases caused by viruses, including rabies. Read the Cabinet regulations for more detailed information. Welfare requirements for the holding, marketing and demonstration of domestic animals at public exhibitions, as well as dog training or ask the veterinarian.

 

3. A pet's registration 3. A pet's registration

Mandatory registration should be made for all dogs over 4 months of age. The registration of cats and ferrets is voluntary. To register a pet, it must have a microchip (implanted chip). To microchip the pet, go to a private veterinarian or to a veterinary clinic.

 

The initial registration of animals of house 04.01.2022. shall be carried out only by a practising veterinarian. Justification: amendments Veterinary medicine law (Article 21, fourth paragraph). The procedures for registration shall be determined Cabinet Regulation No. 359 of 21 June 2022, Procedures for the Registration of Home (Room) Animals.

 

If the animal has been purchased or presented, it must be checked before registration whether the animal has already been registered in a single national database by entering the microchip number of the animal Animal register of the agricultural data centre.

 

Registration shall be carried out after microprinting to link the unique microchip number of the animal to the contact details of the owner. The introduction of a chip does not mean that the pet will be automatically registered. Read more about microprinting in Vaccination and microchip.

 

Registration of an animal is essential because if an unregistered animal is missing, it is not possible to identify the owner if it is found, the microchip number does not contain the contact details of the host.

Registration fees shall be charged in accordance with Agricultural Data Centre Price List.

 

The dog must be registered:

  • before disposal (sale, gift, return),
  • if the dog is temporarily removed from the country,
  • if it participates in exhibitions,
  • reaching the age of 4 months,
  • Within 10 days of arrival.

 

In order to register the animal of the house (room), the following documents are required:

  • home (room) animal passport or vaccination certificate;
  • identity document of the owner

 

Before the age of 4 months or earlier, if sold, the animal must be approached by the veterinarian following a “single set”, which includes: the identification of the home (room) animal with a chip, the issue of a passport and the first registration in the database.

 

4. Animal travel 4. Animal travel

In the European Union

If you want to take a dog, cat or ferret outside the country – travelling within the European Union, it must be:

 

  • marked with a chip;
  • registered in the register of the LDC;
  • home (room) animal passport;
  • valid anti-rabies vaccination;
  • in the case of dogs transported to Ireland, the United Kingdom, Finland, Malta, for decontaring against Echinococcus multilocularis.

 

If you are not travelling with your private car, we will ask you to meet the rules of the chosen carrier. For example, airlines have often imposed strict rules.

 

Information on the transport of domestic animals between Member States of the European Union State Revenue Service on the website Travelling within the EU - movement of dogs, cats or other pets when travelling to another Member State of the European Union”, and Food and veterinary services on the website Animal travel.

Outside the European Union

When travelling with an animal (dog, cat, ferret) outside the European Union, the requirements laid down by the third country in question must be complied with. The person accompanying his domestic animal must, in good time, ascertain the import requirements at the competent authority of the country of destination or that country in the embassy.

 

Information on third country requirements is also available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and veterinary services and on the website Animal travel.

 

In order to export a dog, cat or ferret to a third country, or a non-European country, and to return to the territory of the European Union, it is necessary to:

 

  • identification (chip or clearly legible tattoo imposed before 3 July 2011);
  • registration in the register of the LDC;
  • European Union pet passport;
  • valid anti-rabies vaccination;
  • In individual cases - rabies antibody titration test;
  • in addition, the specific requirements of the third country to which you are travelling with your animal should be fulfilled, such as additional investigations on infectious diseases, parasites, veterinary treatments.

Introduction of a dog, cat or ferret from third countries

Where a domestic animal is imported from Andorra, the Faeroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State, the same requirements shall be fulfilled as when travelling within the European Union. When moving from these countries, the pet passport must be completed.

 

More information on the SRS website, section Movement of pet animals.

 

5. Animal retention levy 5. Animal retention levy

Each municipality may prescribe additional regulations relating to the holding of an animal, such as the payment of a fee. Be interested in your own rules and regulations on keeping a pet in the municipality.

If you live in the territory of Riga municipality, you can pay the fee:

 

6. Change the owner and holding address of the animal 6. Change the owner and holding address of the animal

If the owner of the animal changes (if the animal is sold/disposed of) or the keeper (another person has taken care of it) or the address of the holding of the animal, it is important to change the information. Note that the recorded data will be used to contact the owner in case of an accident, etc., if the animal is missing or found. If the stray darling has caused damage to the property or caused bodily harm, the sentence will be imposed on the registered owner of the animal. Also, when leaving the country and taking the animal with you, if you are not the registered owner, the animal may be excluded.

 

To transfer ownership of a home animal to another natural person

The ownership takeover is confirmed by the new owner, who also specifies the animal's new holding address.

 

You can apply for a change of the animal's holding address:

 

Necessary documents for registration in person:

  • home (room) animal passport or vaccination certificate;
  • message form;
  • identity document of the owner.

 

7. Welfare and infringements 7. Welfare and infringements

Welfare is ensuring the needs of the animal. The owner of the animal must ensure that the smell, barking or howling of the animal of the house (room) does not interfere with the residents of the house or surroundings. Animal welfare shall be determined Welfare requirements for the holding, marketing and demonstration of domestic animals at public exhibitions, as well as dog training. The monitoring of compliance with these standards shall be the competence of the local government police, which shall ensure public order.

 

Most frequently, the binding rules of the municipality indicate which areas of the municipality require the collection of excrements after the animal. There may also be differences in regulation and requirements for driving an animal on or without a leash, hounds, etc.

 

Violations can be reported in Riga area via the Riga Municipal Police Application, available Android and iOS for users.

Dog welfare

If you keep your dog indoors, it should ensure full catering at least once a day and always have free access to fresh water. Dogs over three months of age must provide a walk of at least 30 minutes at least twice daily.

 

When holding a dog outside the home area in the city or village, this area must be completely enclosed from the area intended for public use, preventing the dog from exiting it. The dog must have access to a cabin or accommodation (which exceeds the size of the dog at length, height and width by not less than 30 centimeters) in which the animal can shelter under adverse weather conditions and where litter is present, or other warm flooring. Cleanliness must be provided in the cabin or accommodation and in the area where the dog is staying. If the dog is connected to a chain or rein, the length of the dog must not be less than three meters. There must be at least two centimeters of skin collar or any other accessory attaching to the dog's body which does not cause injury to the dog, nor shall it be possible for the dog to be released involuntarily. The connection between the chain or the leash and the tie belt must be using a rotating element. If the chain glides through the wire, the rotating elements are at the belt and at the wire.

 

If you need to leave the dog alone when you are in a public place, for example, if you have to visit a store where the animal entrance is denied, you may temporarily leave the dog alone if it is tethered on a rein not exceeding a meter, and if the animal does not interfere with the movement of pedestrians and vehicles, and does not endanger the safety of humans or animals.

Cat welfare

The cat master must ensure that fresh water and full feed are always available to his pet. If the animal is kept in a closed room, the cat must provide a cat toilet. It is also necessary to ensure contact with a person at least every two days and a stay area of not less than five square meters if the cat is older than six months.

 

A cat older than six months may stay freely outside the territory in the possession or possession of its owner or holder, if sterilized. In addition, a sterilized cat staying in a city or rural populated area near residential houses is not considered to be a stray animal.

Ferret welfare

The ferret of the house (room) shall have permanent access to full-fledged feed, fresh water and toilet.

 

If the ferret is kept in a cage, it is important that it does not limit the physiological needs of the animal, does not cause injury to it and does not allow it to escape outside the cage. The wire cage size shall be at least 60 x 80 x 45 centimeters. It has a nest where the animal can hide and rest. The enclosure floor shall be of continuous material. The animal must provide at least three hours of physical activity outside the cage every day.

 

If the ferret of the house (room) is located outside the territory owned or used by its owner or holder, a breast strap shall be applied to it and shall be carried on a leash to guarantee its safety.

Cruel treatment of animals

Cruel treatment of animals is not only physical violence which can lead to the death or mutilation, torture and torture of an animal, but also any action by the owner of an animal which causes suffering to the animal, such as prolonged leaving the animal alone without care, leaving the animal in a helpless condition, malnutrition, failure to provide veterinary medical assistance, the appearance of the animal for surgeries - ear and tail cupping (trimming), etc.

 

The cruel treatment of the animal by the master can be seen by the appearance and behaviour of the animal. In cases where an animal does not receive a complete diet, it may be weak bodybuilding, apathetic. An animal suffering physical violence is characterised by fears of foreign people, often fearing the master, fearing sharp movements and noises. There is a visible wound on the body.

 

If you are suspected of being cruel to an animal, report Food and Veterinary Service (FVS):

  • when writing to the FVS E Logotips e-address.
  • When calling te FVS trust phone 67027402. When you call this phone, no one will negotiate with the complainant. It is an answering machine in which a complaint must be made after the signal has been sounded. It will be registered, transmitted to the Regional Government of the GPSD, on the territory of which the object referred to in the complaint is located, and inspected.
  • When calling or writing to regional management of the FVS.
  • Sending e-mail to an address pasts@pvd.gov.lv.

Also to be reported to the local government police or the State for the police because such offences involve not only administrative but criminal liability.

 

The most accurate and detailed information shall be provided at all times, on the observations or findings:

  • The place of housing (address) of a particular animal must be mentioned. Unfortunately, there will not be enough information that the master does not care about the dog in Riga, on Yellows Street. There are hundreds of addresses on the street of Ironavan where dogs might be present, so an exact address should be given when the complaint is lodged.
  • A written statement of the facts on the observations would be required, indicating the necessary data and approximate times. If possible, photograph the situation and date the photograph. You can also give a short, written report on possible other witnesses or evidence.

 

The complaint will be registered, specialists will assess whether the inspection needs to be carried out immediately or whether it can be scheduled at a later time, but usually within the next week.

Stray animals

In most cities of Latvia there are services (organisations) dealing with the catching of stray animals in specific municipal areas, but if you have found a stray animal, you can apply for it:

 

Important! It is important to report the fact of disappearance in order to avoid the situation of someone trying to sell or exit your pet without your knowledge. It will only be possible to bring the animal to its host if the animal has been chafed and registered. It will be much more difficult to return an unregistered animal to the master because the owner of the animal is unknown.

 

The agricultural data centre database is included "Europetnet" in a single system, which means that a dog lost abroad can be quickly found and returned to his rightful owner.

 

8. Euthanasia or death 8. Euthanasia or death

If the pet animal is registered at the animal register of the Agricultural Data Centre, then the case of its death must be recorded.

By indicating the date of death, the owner of the animal may do so:

 

Necessary documents for recording the death of the animal in person:

  • home (room) animal passport or vaccination certificate,
  • message form the death of a pet animal,
  • identity document of the owner.

Animals shall be permitted to be buried in the territory in which they were (residing) if:

  • the owner of the animal is the owner of the land of the disposal site;
  • the place of disposal is enclosed and not publicly accessible, it must not be agricultural land, as well as the area adjacent to multi-apartment buildings;
  • the site of disposal shall not be located near the river, creek, lake and other surface water bodies, the flooding site or area, nor shall it be located in the protection zones of surface water bodies and groundwater abstraction sites;
  • the buried remains shall not cause odours, nor shall they pose a risk to water, air or soil contamination.

If an area corresponding to the above listing is not available, the animal remains may only be buried in animal cemeteries registered by the PVD or cremated.

 

The animal must be stored in such a way that it cannot be accessed by animals. It shall be buried in a pit, with at least one metre thick of earth, and it shall be prohibited to place a monument in place of burial.

 

Pet cemeteries and crematorium

 

There are currently 3 pet cemeteries in Latvia:

  • SIA “1960” Cemetery “Other hunting fields” (Babite municipality, Riga – Liepaja highway 2 km)
  • SIA “Kurzemes gaļsaimnieks” (Priekules municipality, Virga parish “Mountain Hollows”)
  • Pu “Cesis municipality” (Cesis, Riga Street 105)

 

Crematorium:

  • Cremo Ltd (No. A062400, Jelgava, Uzvar Street 59)
  • “Flammax” Ltd (No. A070173, Riga, Mazews Street 15)

 

The collection, transport, storage and disposal of pet animals is carried out by the crematorium described above and by the following companies:

  • SIA “Sanarius” (Riga, Zaļenieku Street 14)
  • SIA “A” (Ventspils, Sun Street 137A)

 

With collection and transport, but not storage and disposal, deals with:

  • SIA “Dr. Beinert” (Riga, Gertrude Street 101)

 

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