Moroccan pet owners face strict rules under new animal law

The Moroccan government is drafting a law that will introduce new requirements for pet owners.

Law 19.25 on the “Protection of Stray Animals and Prevention of Associated Dangers” will require pet owners to declare their animals on an electronic platform, provide health records and ensure their pets wear permanent identification numbers.

Lost animals must be reported within 3 days, and any changes in status, including death, illness or transfer of ownership, must be updated promptly.

If a lost animal is recovered at a care center and its disappearance was previously reported, the owner must be contacted within 10 days to retrieve the pet and pay associated care costs. Animals not claimed within that period will be considered abandoned.

Penalties

The regulation imposes severe penalties for pet owners who fail to comply with the provisions. Failure to register pets or provide health records can result in fines between MAD5,000 ($500/€431.52) and MAD15,000 ($1,500/€1294.57).  

Meanwhile, those who deliberately abandon animals risk fines of up to MAD20,000 ($2,000/€1,726.09).

In addition, failing to update information after a pet’s death or serious illness can lead to fines up to MAD15,000 ($1,500/€129.57).

Public reaction

The draft law, approved by the Council of Government on 10 July and now under parliamentary review, has sparked debate, dividing public opinion between advocates of public safety and defenders of animal protection.

In a statement, the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) says that “animal protection groups have warned that Morocco’s newly proposed animal welfare law will be seen as nothing more than a ‘political sham,’ which will be condemned unless it brings about an immediate end to the country’s widespread and brutal street dog killings.”

The pet industry in Morocco

Euromonitor International estimated Morocco’s pet population at 2.65 million in 2023, up 5% from the previous year. 

In 2022, nearly a third (34%) of Moroccans owned at least 1 pet. Citing market research company Sunergia, GlobalPETS reported that most people owned cats (64%) and dogs (37%).

A previous GlobalPETS report noted that dogs are often viewed as unclean animals due to religious beliefs, while cats are considered clean. Experts say this is a key reason the cat population is expected to grow in the North African country.