Pets will be protected by a special law that prohibits their cruel treatment, mandates their registration, and provides clear measures for animal welfare. The Parliament has voted for the new legislative framework, which will come into effect in two years. Until now, in the Republic of Moldova, there has not been a complete legal framework for animal protection, reports IPN.
The project was developed in the context of the ratification, in 2024, of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.
According to the new law, a national informational system will be established for the identification and registration of animals and their owners. Starting a year after the launch of this system, registration will become mandatory. The authors of the project say that the measure aims to prevent animal abandonment and reduce the number of stray animals.
The law also contains provisions regarding the conditions for animal care, their rights to care, food, movement, and veterinary assistance. It also establishes rules on the breeding, marketing, and transportation of animals. Similarly, measures are mentioned in the case of stray quadrupeds, their capture, sterilization, vaccination, and possible placement in shelters.
Another aspect is the prohibition of cruelty towards animals and the clear definition of punishable behaviors, including the confiscation of the animal or the prohibition of owning animals anymore.
The authors of the project warn that the lack of a coherent regulatory framework in the field has led to an increase in cases of cruelty and homeless animals. According to them, the adoption of the law responds to a real need in society and aligns national legislation with European Union standards. At the same time, it falls within the sustainable development objectives set out in the “European Moldova 2030” strategy.
