Pets

Dogs, cats, budgies, fish, mice, ... - there are countless animals that people like to keep as pets. A pet can bring a lot of joy, but also worries and responsibility. Here we inform you about the most important regulations concerning pets.

What do I need to know?

Am I allowed to keep a pet in my home?

In general, you must observe the rules in your tenancy agreement. Many tenancy agreements prohibit the keeping of certain animals. If there is a corresponding prohibition in your tenancy agreement, you must comply with it.

What rules do I have to follow as a pet owner?

Dog owners in particular must comply with many rules regarding the use of leads, muzzles, dog tax and dog liability insurance. These rules vary from state to state and in some cases from region to region. Your city or local authority can tell you more. You can also find basic information about your federal state on hunde.de.

For some exotic animals, such as spiders or snakes, there may also be special regulations in your municipality. In some cities, these animals are prohibited or only permitted with a special permit. Your local authority can tell you more about this.

Where can I buy a pet?

There are various ways to buy a pet. Smaller animals such as birds, mice, snakes or fish can be bought in a pet store or in a DIY store with a pet department.

Many of these small animals, as well as larger animals such as cats and dogs, can also be purchased from an animal shelter. An animal shelter takes in animals that have been abandoned by their previous owners or have been found stray. As many animal shelters are often overcrowded, it is a good idea to look for an animal there. You only pay a small amount of money for the animal. In addition, the animals there are already vaccinated and wormed. And you can get to know the animal before you take it home. If you are interested in an animal from the shelter, the staff will ask you about your living situation and your experience of keeping animals. This is to ensure that the animal will be happy in your home.

There is also the option of buying an animal from private individuals or receiving one as a gift. Many people give away the offspring of their pet, for example. You can find such offers in the advertising section of regional newspapers, for example. Pay attention to who you are buying the animal from and what condition it is in. There are also dubious private pet dealers. Only buy and pay for the animal once you have seen it.

You can also buy your pet from a breeder. But beware - not all breeders are reputable. Take a close look at the breeder and the animal. You can find a breeder near you on the internet by googling the name of your town and the name of the animal you want. With a reputable breeder, the animals will be well and you will receive a purchase contract and a pet passport.

Do I need liability insurance for my pet?

As a general rule, you are responsible for any damage caused by your pet. For example, if your dog injures a person or breaks something, you will have to pay for it. Liability insurance covers the damage in such cases. Some animals, such as cats, can be covered by your normal liability insurance. For other animals, such as dogs, you need your own liability insurance. You can find dog liability insurance at tarifcheck.de, for example.

In some regions, you are even obliged to take out liability insurance for all or certain breeds of dogs. Your local authority can tell you more about this.

How can I find my lost pet?

If your pet has run away or flown away, you can ask at the nearest animal shelter whether it has been handed in there. You can find the nearest animal shelter on the Animal Welfare Association website. You can also put up posters with a photo of your pet and your telephone number in the neighborhood. This way, your neighbors will know that you are missing your pet and will contact you if they have found or seen it.

A chip is also worthwhile for animals that go outside on their own. The chip is implanted under your pet's skin by a vet and contains a number that can be used to easily identify the animal. If you register your animal with the free TASSO database after it has been chipped, you will be called if your animal has been handed in at a veterinary practice or animal shelter. TASSO will also help you to find your animal.

For dogs in particular, you can also attach a tag with your contact details to the collar. This way, the person who found your dog can contact you directly. Collars are not recommended for other animals due to the risk of injury.

I can't keep my pet. What can I do?

It is very difficult for many animals when they lose their home. Especially if they have lived there for a long time. But sometimes you have to give up your pet. For example, because the animal is no longer allowed in a new home or you can no longer look after the animal due to an illness or allergy. If you are unable to find a home for the animal with your friends, you can hand it over to an animal shelter in your municipality. An animal shelter takes in animals that have been abandoned by their previous owners or have been found stray. Call an animal shelter in your area and ask if there is currently space for your animal. Bring all documents and information about your animal with you when you hand it in. Please note that an animal may only be handed in by its owner or with a power of attorney from the owner. You can find the nearest animal shelter on the Animal Welfare Association website.

I have found a stray pet. What should I do?

If you find a stray or abandoned pet, you must either hand it over to the police or an animal shelter. Animal shelters are collection points for stray or abandoned pets. The animals are fed and cared for there until the owner comes forward or another person wants to take the animal home.

Please note: You may not simply keep a pet that you find. You must always hand it over to the police or an animal shelter first. If the owner has not contacted you after 6 months, you may then take the animal home.

I have found an injured animal. What should I do?

If you find an injured animal, the police will help you. You can contact the police in German by calling 110. You can also take pets or small wild animals directly to the nearest veterinary practice or veterinary clinic. You can also contact the nature conservation association in your federal state and ask the staff for advice. You can find the telephone number of the nature conservation association in your area at nabu.de. The staff usually only speak German. Important: You are not allowed to remove large wild animals such as deer or wild boar yourself. In this case, you must inform the police or the local hunting association.

The costs for veterinary treatment are usually paid either by the owner of the animal or the municipality where the animal was found. Many vets also treat found animals free of charge. Only in very rare cases do you as the finder have to pay the costs. Ask the veterinary practice or veterinary clinic directly about the regulations in your municipality.

Please note: If you injure an animal in an accident, you are legally obliged to take care of the injured animal and call the police.

How can I bring my pet from abroad to Germany?

There are many rules to follow when bringing your pet into Germany. The requirements depend on your pet's country of origin.

If your pet comes from an EU country or from a country on Part 1 of the list of territories and third countries in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation No. 576/2013, the following requirements must be met:

The animal must be at least 15 weeks old.
The animal must have a microchip and an EU pet passport.
The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days prior to entry.
The animal must be accompanied by a person.

If your pet comes from another country, more requirements must be met. A simplified entry procedure applies for some countries. These countries can be found in Part 2 of the list of territories and third countries in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation No. 576/2013. The following requirements must be met for the simplified entry procedure:

The animal must be at least 15 weeks old.
The animal must have a microchip, a vaccination certificate and an animal health certificate.
The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days prior to entry.
The animal must enter the EU directly.
The animal must be accompanied by a person.
The accompanying person must declare in writing that the animal will not change owners.

If your animal's country of origin is not on the above list, the simplified entry procedure does not apply. In this case, the following requirements must also be met:

The animal must be at least 7 months old.
An official veterinarian and an authorized laboratory must carry out a blood test for antibodies against rabies at least 3 months before entry. A list of authorized laboratories can be found on ec.europa.eu.
The animal must be declared to customs.
The animal may only enter the country via certain airports or seaports. You can find a list of entry points on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Please note: Each person may bring a maximum of 5 animals into Germany at the same time.

Where can I find a veterinary practice or a veterinary clinic?

You can easily find a veterinary practice or veterinary clinic near you in the online veterinary directory. Veterinary clinics are usually open day & night.