Starting from March 1, compliance with the norms for cells, enclosures, and aquariums, as well as providing natural lighting and veterinary health documents will be required. What are the changes about and what will follow them?
New rules for selling animals
According to the new rules for selling animals, they must be kept separately – depending on the species: primates with primates, rodents with rodents, and so on. The sizes of cells, enclosures, and aquariums for animal housing have been defined. These are not very large dimensions. For example, for a dog weighing up to 5 kilograms, the size of the cell should be at least 2 square meters, and for over 5 kilograms – 4 square meters. The housing areas must be clean, with lighting conditions close to a natural cycle. Sick animals should be isolated and treated. All animals must have veterinary passports or health certificates.
During the development of the document, requirements for the housing of animals for sale were discussed with animal rights activists. For example, experts requested a ban on selling dogs and cats in pet stores and bird markets, as these are highly organized animals that should be sold on specialized internet platforms or obtained from breeders. Keeping them in confined cages in stores or markets leads to diseases and stress.
Experts opinion
However, when the requirements for housing came under consideration by the government, they were greatly simplified. In this form, they are believed to have been accepted more in the interests of the pet industry rather than the animals themselves, as stated by Yuri Koretsky, Executive Director of the public organization “Animal Defenders Alliance”:
Yuri Koretsky Executive Director of the public organization “Animal Defenders Alliance”
Additionally, the expert laments, the document does not prescribe penalties or supervisory bodies. Perhaps they will be identified through practical application. Or they may intersect with the law on animal cruelty. In any case, details are lacking. And there is no expected increase in prices due to the new rules in the market.
Meanwhile, the conditions for keeping animals in bird markets leave much to be desired. Here’s what Larisa, a resident of Moscow, shared when she went to “Sadovod” in January during a 15-degree frost:
Currently, pet stores are trying to move away from selling animals, especially dogs and cats. Most shops offer rodents, birds, and fish. Stores are transitioning to more profitable related products. Owner of the “Pushok” pet store in the Chelyabinsk region, Stepan Boyko, continues:
Stepan Boyko Owner of the “Pushok” pet store in the Chelyabinsk region
The new requirements for housing do not apply to agricultural and laboratory animals and do not apply to self-employed individuals selling animals. The requirements also do not extend to the field of fisheries and the conservation of aquatic bioresources, fish farming, and hunting resources.