New legislation for the registration of dogs, cats and ferrets

Since October 25th of this year, it has been mandatory in Portugal to register all dogs, cats and ferrets. Registration must be done at SIAC and has an annual cost of 2.50 euros.

Watch the SIAC video and find out exactly what changes from now on in the legislation governing the registration of dogs, cats and ferrets in Portugal:

In case of non-compliance

Fines for non-compliance can range from 50 euros to 3,740 euros for natural persons, and 44,890 euros for legal entities. In addition to the amount charged, these owners will also be prevented from traveling abroad with these – unregistered – animals, or simply going outside with them.

Transfer of responsibilities from parish councils to veterinarians

This new development is making life more complicated for our veterinarians. What was previously done by parish councils is now the responsibility of veterinarians, whether private or municipal. Despite having already come into force, there are still many questions to be answered and, although its objective is very noble – to reduce the number of animal abandonments – veterinary professionals complain about the transfer of responsibilities.

After all, what changes for veterinarians?

The first issue is the amount charged by the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV). The cost of 2.5 euros is charged to the veterinarian for access or registration, and not to the animal owner. In other words, this value does not include VAT charged at 23%, nor the work that veterinarians have to do to carry out this registration, which will have to be charged additionally to the client.

In a statement, the Order of Veterinary Doctors stated that “in fact, the amount payable to the platform by the Veterinarian including the SIAC fee will be 2,989 euros per registration”. Furthermore, this amount is paid in advance by the veterinarian so that he/she “obtains credits to be able to identify the animal later”.

The true cost of this new law

The price that animal owners will pay to register them will inevitably exceed 2.5 euros. This is because the total cost will generally include, in addition to the registration fee, the price of the microchip and its placement and a consultation to check the animal's health status.

Veterinary check

All these values ​​will not be applied in the case of an owner or animal covered by the “veterinary check” program: disadvantaged people, on the poverty line, identified by social security, or abandoned animals.Download the PDF here

Within a few days complaints began to reach the Order of Veterinary Doctors (OMV)

In recent days, OMV has already received several complaints and requests for clarification.

“The fee of 2.5 euros, which was included in the decree-law, is a fee that veterinarians have to pay to the database [in which part goes to the State] to be able to register animals”, explained Jorge Cid, president of the Order of Veterinary Doctors, toPUBLIC newspaper.

Sources: Público, Sol OMV and SIAC

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