Importation is only possible for animals from countries exempt from serum titration (see list above) that have been vaccinated against rabies before the age of three months (the last injection of the vaccination protocol must have been made at least 21 days before importation). Since 2015, following the creation of Articles 515-14 of the Civil Code by Law No. 2015-177 of 16 February 2015, animals are considered « living beings endowed with sensitivity », while they are subject to the « property regime »[14]. A pet may or may not be a pet. Pet ownership©is free of charge. On the other hand, the possession of a pet that is not kept as a pet can, hopefully, be free or©may be subject©to the declaration or possession of a certificate of ability© to preserve the animals. The law includes several measures to combat the mistreatment of captive pets and wild animals and to improve their conditions of detention. It has been enriched by deputies and senators. 850 circus animals, 21 dolphins, 4 orcas and 5 bears are affected. Eventually, the breeding of American mink and other wildlife was stopped because of their fur.
The conditions of keeping wild (or non-native) animals©vary by species. To limit impulse purchases and avoid a task, the text requires that future first owners of a cat, dog or other pets sign a « certificate of commitment and knowledge ». A reflection period of 7 days will be imposed between the issuance of this new certificate and the purchase or donation of the animal. This device is inspired by proposal n° 6 of the report by MEP Loïc Dombreval on the « Welfare of domestic animals and equidae », presented to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture in June 2020. As amended by senators, the certificate issued to future owners will contain the information that is now contained in the animal information document. The animals©concerned and the maximum number of persons that may be kept are listed© in column (a) of the table in Annex©2 to the Ministerial Judgment©©. It was the law of 6 January 1999[27] that introduced the concept of migratory wild animal in Article L211-21 of the Rural Code. Initially planned to allow the municipal administration to take measures adapted to the migration of a wild animal of an exotic species that has escaped in particular from the circus or zoo, it was approved by the decree of 5. October 2006[28], from which derives Article L211-19-1 of the Rural Code, which expressly prohibits the migration of captive wild animals (!). Curiously, the only meaning that seems to give such a formulation is to prohibit not only the replenishment for hunting, but also the reintroduction of wild animals such as bears in the Pyrenees.
The fact that the animal was born or tamed in captivity is not a criterion of domesticity under French law. The French Penal Code thus establishes a distinction between domestic animals and domestic animals[4]. However, there is a tendency to bring these concepts closer together, in particular for reasons of simplification (as indicated in the circular of 12 October 2004[5]). ©Such an establishment is subject to©prior authorisation to open by the premises of©the establishment`s© establishment©department. And the person responsible for the maintenance of animals within the farm©must be in possession of the certificate of ability© to maintain pets. For some types of wild animals, ©incarceration in captivity© is free. It is not subject to declaration© or approval. The text provides for a ban on the keeping and use of wild animals in travelling circuses by 2028 (and the acquisition and reproduction of these animals by 2023), after agreement in the Joint Committee. Reception solutions must be proposed to collect animals. If there are none, a decree must allow circuses to keep them.
A National Advisory Commission on Captive Wildlife is established under the direction of the Minister of Nature Conservation. Consultations will take place on how to improve the conditions for the conservation and presentation of captive wild animals to the public. Fixed circuses, on the other hand, are subject to the general rules of operation of zoos. Dolphin or orca shows will be banned from 2026. Their detention and breeding in captivity will end, except in the context of scientific research programmes or in « shelters or protected areas for captive wild animals », whose status is determined. Exceptionally, they can be considered as real estate by destination[8], that is to say that these animals are allocated to their fund (agricultural, industrial and even of good will in the sense of French jurisprudence), since these animals are assigned to the service and use of a fund. This status is granted only if the animal is intended exclusively for the use of the fund and not for the personal use of its owner and is necessary for its use[9]. In addition, the list in article 524 of the Civil Code is valid until the 18th. February 2015 is not exhaustive, but in particular animals©that become real estate[10]: More legislative details can be found©on the government website©©, all legal texts on wild animals in captivity© are reproduced©© there. Pet awareness is introduced as part of the Universal National Service (UNS) and in the teaching of moral and political education in schools. If an animal is not included in this list, it is considered a non-pet under French law.
Possession of such an animal may be subject to possession of a certificate of fitness. The decrees of 10 August 2004 lay down the regime for keeping these animals. The list of pet species is finalized©©© by ministerial decision. Asterisk = « As a measure of administrative simplification, given the ease of reproduction of these animals in captivity, the very large number of generations now gained in captivity without taking specimens out of the wild, the diversity of native varieties and the lack of import of specimens from nature, captive populations of the species can be considered native. » NACs are the acronym for « new pets. » These are pets that belong to different species than those common in French mothers such as dogs and cats©. However, you must be careful, it is not allowed to have all animal species at home, and even if some are allowed©, you must obtain© the certificate© of capacity. The importation of these animals is subject to the presentation of a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. This certificate is available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture. New certificate for the acquisition of a pet, toughening of sanctions for mistreatment and zoophilia, end of dolphinariums in 2026 and wildlife in traveling circuses in 2028. These are some of the measures in the act to combat cruelty to animals. If the keeping of one or more animals is the subject of a declaration, it is done online or© by means of the Cerfa form No. 15967.
© If one of these animals moves naturally, the former owner cannot claim its return. That provision is not intended, inter alia, to create conflict situations which arise from the mere action of nature. However, this is a truly exorbitant legal provision, because it would allow the new owner to acquire, as of right, property that he knows, for reasons of conscience, would not belong to him. Which species to choose? This is a question that people who love pets are likely to ask themselves. However, some are not interested in cats or dogs because they consider them unoriginal. The solution is simple, but unknown to many people: New Pets (NAC), presents economie.gouv.fr. These are different types than those common in French households. Nevertheless, we must be careful. It is not allowed to have animal species in your home.