Ukraine has launched a Unified State Register for pets.

In Ukraine, on Monday, November 25, the authorization of veterinarians began on the Unified State Register of Pets. Subsequently, the platform will start the registration of cats, dogs, and ferrets. This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The Unified State Register of Pets has been launched on the "Diia.Engine" platform, where data about cats, dogs, and ferrets will be stored:

• the pet's name and description,
• information about vaccination and bio-sterilization,
• contact details of owners or keepers,
• other essential health data of the pet.

“The project aims to help more effectively prevent the spread of dangerous diseases, harmonize Ukrainian legislation regarding animal treatment with European standards, and foster a culture of responsible ownership where pet owners properly care for their companions,” the Ministry's statement reads.

The register will be implemented in two phases. The first step will involve engaging veterinary clinics and doctors to work with the platform.

Step-by-step instructions on how to authorize:

• submit an application to the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. For this, the head of the veterinary institution fills out an application in the register cabinet – it takes no more than 30 minutes. The State Service must verify the data in the application within 10 working days, approve or reject the application, and send a notification about the decision to the email address provided.

• After authorization, the head of the veterinary institution will be able to enter data about veterinarians on the platform, who will directly register the four-legged patients in the register. After this, veterinarians must log into their accounts on the platform and complete their personal data.

• Once successfully authorized, the veterinary institution will be prepared to start registering pets alongside the official launch of the second phase of the register.

“The operation of the Unified State Register of Pets will contribute to improving the level of responsible pet ownership in Ukraine. Although registration is voluntary, after the start of the pet registration campaign, we will encourage owners to take the opportunity to register their pets and, if necessary, carry out identification. This not only increases the chances of lost pets returning home but also helps the government better understand the epizootic situation and plan preventive measures,” noted the head of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Serhiy Tkachuk.

Recall that in 2021, Ukraine strengthened criminal and administrative liability for cruel treatment of animals. While legislation had previously prohibited animal cruelty, these prohibitions were not detailed, and fines for offenders were mostly insignificant.