Moroccan parliament approves law to protect stray animals

Morocco's House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a draft law aimed at protecting stray animals and mitigating the risks they pose. The legislation, known as Law No. 19.25, passed with a significant majority, securing 74 votes in favor and 21 abstentions, with no opposition recorded. During the legislative session, Mustapha Baitas, the Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesperson, presented the bill. He highlighted that the drafting process involved studying comparative international experiences and incorporated recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), particularly concerning animal health and welfare principles. Baitas explained that this project represents a crucial step in strengthening Morocco's national legal framework. It establishes an integrated legislative structure for managing stray animals, providing effective legal and institutional mechanisms. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the Kingdom's standing both regionally and internationally in addressing animal health and welfare issues. The law seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of stray animals and the prevention of diseases and risks associated with them. It also introduces a system for animal registration and outlines the obligations of animal owners and keepers. Additionally, the legislative text aims to establish a national database for animals and define the conditions and procedures for creating and managing centers for the care and sheltering of stray animals. It also specifies the authorities responsible for monitoring violations. The law is set to come into effect within two years of its enactment.

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During the preparation of this text, comparative international experiences were consulted, and the recommendations and standards issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health were taken into account, especially those related to animal health and the principles of animal welfare.