Essential Animal Information for Pets in Belgium

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Essential Animal Information for Pets in Belgium

Below is valuable information for pet owners in Belgium, Brussels on: 

• finding a veterinarian and the required and recommended animal vaccinations   
• the owners obligations concerning tattooing or microchip identification of pet dogs and cats
• the laws concerning restricted breeds - other pet animals, and guard and attack dogs - in Belgium
• the laws concerning taking pets into public places and on trains and busses in Brussels
• how to buy or sell a pet  
• what to do if an animal is lost or found
• the Belgian national animal organisations and further general information

Pet and Companion Animals in Belgium

Belgium has laws designed to protect the welfare of animals; in addition it upholds European Union legislation regarding the movement of domestic animals in Europe and further afield. The EU regulations have been in force since October 2004 and essentially cover the movement of only dogs, cats and ferrets at this time. Other animals are subject to national legislation.

The Belgian Ministry of Health gives extensive information regarding the care, sale, and movement of animals on its web portal. 

The list of animals allowed as pets in Belgium includes cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats as well as horses, donkeys and goats. Animals must not present either a physical danger or an infectious risk to the public.

• For the full list of animals that may be kept as pets: Click here 

Anyone wishing to import an exotic animal or one not listed should consult the Belgian Embassy in their country of origin before attempting to travel.

Owning a Pet

Animals are protected by law and owners can be prosecuted for various reasons including mistreatment. Owners must take steps to ensure that their animals do not present a nuisance or cause harm to others. Anyone who abandons an animal is also likely to face punishment.

The full regulations of the legislation are given on the Ministry of Health website and also on the website of Blue Cross (la Croix Bleue).

• For further information from Blue Cross: Click here (in French & Dutch)

Identification

All dogs in Belgium must be identifiable and registered with the ABIEC/BVIRH (Association Belge d'Identification et d'Enregistrement Canins/Belgische vereniging voor Identificatie & Registratie van honden). The ABIEC/BVIRH allows many animals who go missing to be successfully reunited with their owners. It also allows owners to be traced where a dog has clearly been mistreated or abandoned.

• Association Belge d'Identification et d'Enregistrement Canins
  At: BP 168, 1060 Bruxelles
  Tel: 07 022 24 45
  Fax: 07 022 24 46
  e-mail 
  Website 

Cats and dogs must be micro-chipped. Tattoos will only be accepted in Belgium until 2011.

Certain more exotic animals (such as tortoises) that may be kept as pets also need to be marked in a way which does not wear off and the details must be changed if there is a change of ownership. Reptiles being kept as pets should be micro-chipped.

Birds should have a ring with identification information attached to one leg.

Veterinarians

Local town halls, tourist information offices and police stations can provide names and addresses of local vets. Many vets speak some English.

Opening hours vary and some will make home visits. Pet owners are advised to find and register with a vet on arrival in Belgium. They will then be provided with an out of hours telephone number for emergencies.

• To find an English-speaking vet in Brussels see The AngloFILE Dogs, Cats, Pets & Animals

The Belgian Veterinary Union (Union Professionelle Vétérinaire) has a website that allows a search by region and also indicates the language that the vet works in.

• To find a vet: Click here and then on un vétérinaire près de chez vous

Vaccinations

The only compulsory vaccination in Belgium at this time is for rabies (la rage), all the others are optional depending on location. However rabies vaccinations are recommended for all cats, dogs and ferrets. 

• The rabies vaccination is compulsory south of the rivers Meuse and Sambre 
• The rabies vaccination is optional north of the rivers Meuse and Sambre 

No additional vaccinations are compulsory however, vets recommend that all caring owners vaccinate their pets annually for the following:

Dogs:

• C - maladie de Carré (Distemper)
• H - Hépatite de Rubarth or hépatite contagieuse canine (infectious hepatitis)
• P - La Parvovirose (Parvovirus)
• L - La Leptospirose (Leptospirosis)

Cats:

• La panleucopenie (feline distemper) 
• La rhinotracheite (feline herpes)

Additional vaccinations may be required if the animal is going to leave Belgium at any time and travel elsewhere or if it is to be left at a kennel or cattery. Registered kennels and catteries (pensions) generally require the pet passport or vaccination booklet for the animal. This then stays with the animal for the duration of their stay. Many kennels will require a vaccination against Kennel Cough (PI - La toux de chenil Para-Influenza)

• For travel requirements see AngloINFO INFOrmation page Pet Travel and Moving to Belgium with Animals

Restricted Breeds

Certain animals covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may be refused entry into Belgium. Consult the UK CITES site for more details.

Prairie dogs are not permitted entry from the USA and squirrels and some types of rodent originating from sub-Saharan Africa are also forbidden.

Potentially Dangerous Dogs

There is currently little legislation concerning potentially dangerous dogs in Belgium, but following a number of attacks there are moves to outlaw some fighting breeds and guard dogs such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Mastiff and Tosa, but this has not yet passed into law.

There are a number of breeds that may not be allowed into the country; Pit Bulls are typically forbidden entry, for example. Owners of certain breeds of dog will have to provide evidence that the dog does not present a danger to the public. Dogs that have previously had any kind of warning or action taken against them or their owner for dangerous or aggressive behaviour will normally be refused entry.

Owners of dogs which could be classed as dangerous are expected to keep them on a lead at all times in public and muzzled if necessary. In the event of an incident legal action may be taken against the owner of a dog. All dogs have to be registered so owners are traceable.

For up-to-date-information consult the Belgian Veterinary Service in Brussels.

• SPF Santé Publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne Alimentaire et de l'Environnement, DG Animaux Végétaux et Alimentation
  At: Place Victor Horta 40 b.10, 1060 Brussels
  Tel: 02 524 73 20
  Fax: 02 524 73 29
  e-mail

Pets in Public Places

Dogs are welcome in most public places but there are restrictions. For more details consult:

• Chiens Admis (in French) 

Signs are usually displayed to indicate whether pets are welcomed in hotels and restaurants. Some supermarket chains in Belgium allow dogs and display signs to this effect.

• Dog Friendly lists some dog friendly hotels

Pets on Public Transport

Guide Dogs travel free on public transport. Other dogs are allowed on public transport subject to certain conditions.

• Trains: 
  • Small pets may travel free of charge if they are kept in a cage, box or basket that measures no more than 55cm long, 30cm wide and 30cm high
  • Dogs on leads must pay a second class 50% ticket
  • Pets are not allowed to take passengers' seats
  • Animals must not cause inconvenience to other passengers
  • Further information from the SNCB/NMBS: Click here
• Trams and Buses: Small dogs may be carried free of charge if they can sit on the owner's knee and are kept on a lead. They must not cause a nuisance to other passengers. Larger dogs will incur a charge and must be on a lead and muzzled if appropriate. Drivers have the right to refuse to carry a dog if they feel it is likely to pose a threat to other passengers

Dog Fouling

There is no fine or requirement to clean up after a dog in public, however people are becoming increasingly sensitive about it.

Buying and Selling Pets

The sale and purchase of animals is subject to a number of regulations: 

• Dogs may not be traded unless they have been tagged and registered legally
• All breeders must be registered and must comply with legislation
• Neither cats nor dogs may be sold anywhere on the public highway 
• Public advertising or publicity is prohibited 
• Belgian pet shops may not sell cats and dogs 

Anyone wishing to buy a pet cat or dog must go to an animal sanctuary or breeder. No animals can be sold to anyone under the age of 16 without with the express permission of their parents or guardians.

It is illegal to buy or sell any animal if it displays any sign of illness, nor can an animal be bought or sold if it has been illegally imported or has been detained. Lost and abandoned animals can only be transferred under specific circumstances and after all attempts have been made to reunite them with their owners. Young non-weaned or prematurely weaned mammals may not be bought or sold.

Exotic animals or animals not listed on the permitted list cannot be traded and all publicity surrounding the sale or purchase of such animals is also forbidden.

Lost & Found Animals

Anyone who finds a lost or abandoned animal must report it to the local police and take it to a refuge (see below for local refuges) – it is not permitted to simply keep it. The refuge is obliged by law to keep lost animals for at least two weeks. During this time every effort must be made to trace the legal owners (usually by means of the animal's microchip or tattoo). The owner will be expected to meet any costs involved, including boarding costs at the refuge until the animal is claimed.

If no owner can be traced then the refuge may allow adoption of the animal. Anyone interested in adopting an animal will be provided with information regarding how the animal came to be at the refuge, its general character and behaviour and its general health and feeding habits.

If an animal is not adopted because of ill-health or violent behaviour it will be put to sleep after consultation with a vet.

Europetnet is a pet database operating throughout Europe for finding lost animals. Pet owners need to register the animal's microchip number with the Europetnet database. This will allow for the missing animal to be traced from any member country in Europe.

• Europetnet
  At: Rue de la Presse 4, Drukpersstraat, Administrative & Head Office, 1000 Brussels
  Tel: 07 023 31 47
  Fax: 07 023 31 81
  e-mail
  Website

National Animal Organisations

Animal rescue centres or refuges in Belgium must be regulated and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Many still rely on donations and volunteer help to function effectively.

The Blue Cross (la Croix Bleue) operates a number of animal rescue centres in Belgium – two of which are in the Brussels area. They also post photographs and details of animals in their care which are available for adoption. Other centres that do similar work include Help Animals which has centres in Anderlecht and Brussels. 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (Société Royale Protectrice, SRPA des Animaux Veymeede, KMDB) is the biggest animal protection organisation in Belgium. It has refuges throughout Belgium mainly for cats and dogs, however certain centres take in horses and mistreated animals from zoos or circuses. 

• Royal Society for the Protection of Animals
  The website has details of addresses, contact information and animals available for adoption 
  At: Avenue d'Itterbeek 600, 1070 Anderlecht
  Tel: 02 527 10 50
  Fax: 02 527 11 00
  e-mail
  Website (in French & Dutch)
• La Croix Bleue
  The website lists local animal refuges with information on open hours and access as well as details on animals available for adoption
  At: Rue de la Soierie 170, 1190 Brussels
  Tel: 02 376 32 62
  Fax: 02 376 32 60
  Website (in Dutch & French)
• Help Animals
  Registered charity with shelters and animals available for adoption
  At: Rue Bollinckx 203, 1070 Brussels
  Tel: 020 523 44 16
  Website 
• To find details of other refuges locally consult the Yellow Pages under Refuges pour animaux or ask at the local town hall

Local Organisations

• Chatterie du Parc (cat rescue centre)
  At: Avenue Nellie Melba 83, 1070 Anderlecht
  Tel: 02 521 19 80
• SHAPAS 2000 ASBL
  At: Rue de Ganshoren 60 Box 3, 1082 Berchem Sainte-Agathe
  Tel: 02 478 55 45
• Charaton
  At: Rue Borrens 35, 1050 Ixelles
  Tel: 02 647 24 75

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Pet Travel & Moving to Belgium with Animals
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Pet Threats and Animal Dangers in Belgium
• Belgian Ministry of Health 
• UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
• International Guide Dog Federation 
• Europa European Union website with information on animals and pets
• Centre for Disease Control and Prevention US Government advice for citizens importing and exporting animals