A new procedure that makes dog registration mandatory for all animal owners in Kyiv from May 12, 2025 will come into force. For the first time, this procedure is introduced at the level of all CNAPs of the city as an administrative service, and its fulfillment is regulated by several normative acts at once, in particular by the Law of Ukraine “On Protection of Animals from Cruel Treatment”, the order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy №560 from 16.11.2018, as well as the decision of the Kyiv City Council №371/371 from 25.12.2014 on the approval of the Rules of keeping pets in the city of Kyiv.

Why the city and pet owners need it

This initiative is not a formality, its implementation has quite a practical and public purpose – to bring order in the sphere of animal keeping in the city, to ensure the safety of both the animals themselves and the residents of the capital, as well as to have an up-to-date record of pets for further planning of veterinary programs, control over the spread of diseases and prevent the appearance of stray dogs.

How registration takes place: procedure and documents

Registration is mandatory exclusively for dogs – regardless of breed, size, age or intended purpose (pet, guard, service dog). At the same time, for cats this procedure is still voluntary. In order to register an owner needs to apply to any Center of administrative services in Kyiv, where he/she will be able to fill out form No. 1 and provide a receipt for payment of the service. As of now, the official cost is not publicized, but according to the old model of registration it included only payment for a token (as an identification mark) and issuance of a registration certificate.

After passing the procedure, the animal is assigned a unique identification number, which allows you to confirm ownership at any time, find it in case of loss, and avoid legal problems in case of accidents involving the animal. The presence of registration is an official “passport” for the dog, analogous to car registration for a vehicle. Without it, any proof of ownership can be problematic in the legal field.

What happens if you do not register your dog

Separately, it is worth mentioning the legal consequences for those who ignore this requirement. According to Article 154 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, violation of the rules of keeping pets entails a fine from 1 to 3 untaxed minimum incomes of citizens, that is, from 17 to 51 UAH. However, in case of repeated violation or if an unidentified animal causes harm, the amount of the fine may increase up to 340 UAH and be accompanied by confiscation of the animal. In cases of dog bites or attacks without a registered owner, the issue of official negligence may be raised, and in the future – and criminal liability in case of serious consequences.

Conclusion

The introduction of mandatory registration of dogs in Kiev from May 12, 2025 is the result of a combination of local regulations and the national regulatory framework in the field of animal protection. This decision formalizes the relationship between the owner and the animal, fixes responsibility and creates conditions for effective accounting. The registration procedure, introduced through the CNAPs, provides a standard set of actions and documents, and its failure to fulfill can lead to administrative responsibility. Thus, the registration of pets in Kiev acquires a clearly regulated status, which has legal consequences and a certain place in the system of urban management.