HCMC department wants owners to register their dogs and cats

In a proposal sent recently to the city People's Committee, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said residents wishing to own dogs or cats must register with the commune-level People's Committee.

Declarations are to be made twice a year, and it was encouraging for pet owners to implant a microchip or a miniaturized integrated circuit in their pets, which would facilitate the management of breeding information, vaccinations, and quarantine transportations, among other things

Additionally, pet owners must make an immediate declaration within three days of acquiring a new pet or upon request from relevant authorities, the department suggested.

Besides declaration and registration of pets, the department said pet owners were required to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies, and comply with regulations on prevention, control, and disease management as guided by the veterinary authority.

When taking dogs to public places, owners must carry waste disposal bags and clean up after their pets. Pets must be leashed, muzzled, and accompanied whenever in public spaces.

Kennels for aggressive dogs must prevent access by people and have warning signs.

The kennel should also provide a sleeping area appropriate to the weather conditions, with a minimum floor area of 10 m2 per animal and a minimum height and width of 1.8 m.

If approved, these regulations will govern the activities of keeping dogs and cats as pets, as well as for business and other purposes in HCMC.

The proposal comes amid numerous incidents of dogs and cats causing noise, hygiene issues in public spaces, attacking people, and causing traffic accidents around the city.

A number of pets have proven to be a source of spreading diseases to humans, including rabies, as owners failed to vaccinate them, the department said.

Dinh Minh Hiep, director of the department, said registering pets with the authorities was actually mandated by the Livestock Production Law, and the proposal was under review by the Department of Justice.

HCMC currently has over 184,000 dogs and cats cared for by nearly 106,000 families.

The city’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in the year to date, around 10,000 people across the city have had to seek medical care after being bitten by animals, up 1,000 compared to the same period last year.