Keeping animals

Do you want to keep animals in larger quantities because you are a breeder of animal species or have animal husbandry as your hobby? You must apply to the municipality for an environmental permit from the ban on this.

It is prohibited to have large numbers of animals, wild animals, dangerous animals, rare animals or protected animals.

  • If you still want to keep these animals, you can sometimes get an exemption from the ban. You must then take adequate housing and security measures. Do this before making the application.
  • You do not get a waiver for protected species.
  • Institutions such as shelters, asylum centers and zoos already have exemptions to this ban.

Register hobby animals

You may keep hobby animals such as sheep, goats and poultry in a small amount. It is important that you have your hobby animals registered with the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland. Then the animals and their place of origin can be quickly traced if a contagious animal disease breaks out, such as MKZ.

Do you have a horse, pony, donkey or zebra (equidae) in your stable or pasture? If so, you must also report the whereabouts of this animal.

How does it work?

The municipality establishes rules for the keeping of animals. This is necessary to prevent or eliminate harm to public health.

  • As the owner or caregiver, you must give the animals proper care.
  • The animals must have adequate space appropriate to their natural needs.

What should I do?

You request the exemption from the municipality. To do so, call 14 0181. Provide the following information:

  • the type of animals you keep
  • the place where you keep the animals
  • why you are requesting the waiver
  • what security measures you have taken
  • a sketch of the land on which the animal quarters are located

If you are going to keep animals for your business or if you are a breeder, you will have to report via the Activities Decree Internet module. This is because different rules apply to keeping animals for business purposes.

Registering hobby animals

Do you keep your horse or equine at the same location for longer than 30 days? Then you must register that location with the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). You must also register the animals that remain at this location for longer than 30 days.

Hobby owners must also report horses and horse-like animals kept on their own premises to RFO. You can register the animal at RFO.

Costs

DescriptionCosts
Keeping animals exemption€ 125,00

Price changes and typographical errors reserved. 

How long does it take?

You will be notified within 8 weeks whether you will receive the waiver.

Objecting

If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you can object within 6 weeks.

Additional information

Keeping exotic animals is prohibited because these animals often belong to a protected species.

An exception applies to institutions such as shelters, animal shelters and zoos. They have an exemption from this prohibition.