International Animal Rights Day: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture relaunches its awareness campaign "Animals Aren't Fashion Accessories"

International Animal Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10 December. In Luxembourg, all animals, whether domestic, livestock or wild, are recognised as sentient beings in their own right, with a right to well-being, dignity and safety, as set out in the Animal Protection Act 2018.

To mark this symbolic date, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture is relaunching its ‘Animals Aren't Fashion Accessories' awareness campaign, and reminding pet owners that before acquiring a pet, they should be fully aware of the responsibilities that proper animal care imposes.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, is launching an appeal: ‘Adopting an animal shouldn't be a spontaneous reaction to the cute looks of a puppy or kitten, or a spur-of-the-moment decision on the eve of the festive season, but a carefully considered decision! Otherwise, these animals run the risk of being abandoned in an asylum, and we all know that shelters in Luxembourg are already overflowing! I therefore urge all future owners to find out about the responsibilities that adopting an animal entails in terms of time, personal and financial investment, before taking the plunge. Of course, once you've made that considered decision, I'd urge you to adopt an animal from a shelter, rather than buying a pet or, worse still, importing one from abroad’.

Adopting an animal: general principles

Generally speaking, before adopting an animal, you should bear in mind the following points:

• Owning an animal is a long-term commitment.
• Luxembourg has a positive list of animals authorised to be kept. Anyone wishing to keep an animal not on this list must submit a request to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Viticulture beforehand, bearing in mind that a request does not automatically imply consent.
• The animal must be identified and registered, depending on the species, as required by law.
• There must be enough room for the animal in its accommodation.
• You need to set aside time on a daily basis to meet your pet's needs and, for example, take it for a walk.
• There are financial expenses (food, bowls, lead, enclosure, litter, coat care, routine examinations, vaccinations, worming, illness, etc.).
• You must arrange for your pet to be looked after when you are away (on holiday or in an emergency).
• You need to keep your pet under control and, if necessary, train it to respect public safety.

Keeping dogs and cats: good advice from ALVA

In Luxembourg, dogs and cats are among the most popular pets. That's why the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration is reminding their owners of the right things to do on a daily basis.

Advice for dog owners:

• Dogs must be kept on a lead in public spaces, buildings and along cycle paths (Dogs Act of 9 May 2008).
• Dogs must be identified, registered and vaccinated against rabies (Dogs Act of 9 May 2008) and must be declared to the local authority.
• Before acquiring so-called list dogs, the requirements for keeping them must be met.
• It is strongly recommended to neuter dogs for animal protection reasons, and to avoid unwanted offspring,
• It is forbidden to keep dogs in cages, even for short periods.
• The cutting of dogs (ears, tail, etc.) is prohibited in Luxembourg.
• Dog breeding in Luxembourg is subject to ministerial authorisation.
• It is compulsory to pick up dog mess on walks and dispose of it properly.

Advice for cat owners:

• It is compulsory to chip, electronically identify and register domestic cats (Animal Protection Act of 27 June 2018).
• Cats with access to the outdoors must be neutered or spayed (Animal Protection Act of 27 June 2018).
• Tethering is prohibited
• Keeping in a cage, even for a short time, is prohibited.
• Cat breeding in Luxembourg is subject to ministerial authorisation.

In Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration is the central authority for animal health and welfare, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture. Several vets, including two animal welfare officers, are on the ground every day to monitor the health and welfare of farm and domestic pets, and to advise breeders and pet owners. Via the new contact point help@deier.lu, members of the public can report animal welfare offences by sending an e-mail or calling 2478 25 39.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture also supports and subsidises animal shelters and the wild animal care centre in Luxembourg, and promotes responsible animal behaviour among pet owners.

More info: Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration, info@alva.lu

Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture