"I Hope We Don't Get To Ants."

• 11.05.2026, 8:38

What the campaign for compulsory registration of cats and dogs in Belarus has shown.

The authorities have begun to actively remind Belarusians about the mandatory registration of pets. More precisely, that not only dogs, but also cats should be registered, writes the site "Salidarnasts".

On the one hand, the officials emphasize that the registration is free of charge and no taxes will have to be paid, but on the other hand, they immediately threaten with administrative responsibility. A fine from 1 to 15 basic units (45-675 rubles). And if the violation caused harm, say, the cat bit someone - from 10 to 30 BV (450-1350 rubles).

The same Minsk "Fauna of the city" refers to the resolution of the Council of Ministers as far back as 2001 - on the rules of keeping domestic dogs and cats. It was last amended in February 2023. And there it is really about the registration of dogs and cats within three days from the moment you have a four-legged friend.

There are several questions. If the rules started three years ago, why is there such a rush to register only now? What have the persons responsible for informational work with the population been doing all this time, in bureaucratic terms - have they been making cat licenses and tags by hand?

And will officials be held responsible for this fakap - or only the owners?

The second question, which is being asked by Belarusians en masse in chat rooms and social networks: is registration compulsory, so that what? The authorities answer, predictably: to keep track of animals, and to find the owner faster, if suddenly a pet is lost.

But in fact, neither a dog tag, nor a collar-addresser is no guarantee that the missing cat will be found. And there's nothing to say about an ID card. Most cats walking on the street have whiskers, paws and tail - these are his documents.

A different matter - if there is a chip. The electronic passport can indeed be checked on the unified database of chipped animals in Belarus, including in veterinary clinics, state veterinary stations, etc.

And here's the catch: the mandatory registration of cats is free, but chipping, for example, in Minsk, costs from 100 to 120 rubles. But the first owner is not clear why, and the second - insurance in case of emergency. And - profit, especially if the service is left only under the jurisdiction of state veterinarians.

Another version, which is widely discussed by cat owners in social networks is "entrance is a ruble, exit is two". The registration is free, but when the pet is gone, it will have to be confirmed - which means getting a veterinarian's certificate and paying for cremation or a burial ground. Otherwise - again, fines.

Finally, the third likely scenario, massively discussed by pet owners - that the tax on cats is not far off, because the budget needs money. And then we can reach rabbits, parrots, aquarium fish.

At the same time, in reality, the problems of cruel treatment, stray and discarded animals are still dealt with by indifferent Belarusians and the few remaining associations, but not by state structures. They look for "lost" animals and their owners - through advertisements and social networks. They sterilize basement cats - at their own expense.

The state has fines, capture service and "Fauna of the city", but not walking grounds, modern veterinary stations and shelters.

And although the law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" came into force in Belarus in 2025, we still have a long way to go before the real protection of animal rights. For comparison, let us remind how in neighboring Poland they protect the rights of stray cats from shelters, which are taken by new owners.

In our case, the state shelters are in trouble, and the unified strategy on homeless animals is the same story. And relations with pet owners, volunteers, animal rights activists and activists are based on the usual control, fines and threats, in a wide range.

And the current sudden campaign on registration of pets, as we see, the officials did not start immediately for good. They have done everything to make a good, in fact, intention cause rejection, misunderstanding and growing distrust in society.

There are just some comments from the network:

"They have already reached kittens. Are we going to register cockroaches?"

"Cockroaches are state-owned."

"I hope we won't get to ants".