How to get a dog in Luxembourg
In fact, getting a dog in Luxembourg is not that difficult. The main thing is to know the most important details in advance and to prepare all the necessary conditions and documents. In this guide we will look at the main problems and issues of the process.
You can adopt a dog in a country or move with it to its new home, which will be Luxembourg. However, all types of breeders will be concerned about documentation, vaccinations and dog tax.
Before you get a dog, make sure you are familiar with all the requirements and that you can properly maintain and care for your new friend.
Many requirements for keeping dogs in Luxembourg with the law of May 9, 2008 on dogs. This law applies to your pet, even if you brought it from abroad and did not have it in your country.
Here are some important requirements to prepare for in advance:
- All dogs must be electronically identified (microchipped) within four months of birth;
- All dogs must be kept on a leash in residential areas;
- Pet owners must register their dog with the municipality of residence (the municipality where you are registered) within four months of the dog's birth;
- Dogs in Luxembourg must have an EU pet passport, a document issued by an authorized veterinarian in an EU member state;
- Special rules apply to owners of dog breeds considered potentially dangerous.
Potentially dangerous breeds
Such breeds in Luxembourg are
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier;
- Mastiff;
- American Staffordshire Terrier;
- Tosa;
- Pit Bulls;
- and morphologically similar breeds.
If you plan to get one of these breeds, you will need to take special dog training classes. You will also be required to reapply for such training (and, in certain cases, neutering) within eighteen months of the dog's birth.
Renting an apartment in Luxembourg with dogs can be difficult. Many landlords warn in advance that pets are not allowed, but there are real estate agencies that offer special services to find accommodation for such families.
Make sure there is enough room in your home for a dog: remember that some active breeds are better off if you have a garden, backyard or park that they can easily and quickly access.
How to rent an apartment in Luxembourg
Luxembourg has several shelters worth visiting to find a new friend. You can search for a dog at the following addresses:
Déierenasyl
Asile Dudelange
Escher Déiereschutz SEPA
Schëfflenger Déiereschutzveräin shelter
Mini-Miez Asbl
If you are looking for a rare breed or a small puppy, there are many dog breeders in Luxembourg. Their list can be found on a special website.
Once you have chosen a dog (from a shelter, rescue, or breeder), it is recommended that you visit the home a few times to get to know your future pet and develop a relationship with him or her.
Once you have chosen and bonded with a dog, you can begin the chipping and vaccination process. During this time, the dog will remain with its previous owners until you have completed all the paperwork.
Chip
Chipping is an important part of the process of getting a dog. The dog should be chipped by a licensed veterinarian. This is important because if the animal is lost or has an accident, the owner's identity can be established. A microchip that meets the ISO 11784/11785 standard will also allow the pet to travel around the world. The microchip must be implanted before the animal is vaccinated against rabies.
Timing of chipping
Remember, electronic identification of the animal must be done within the first 4 months of birth or within the first month of adoption.
The microchip can be implanted at any veterinary clinic by an authorized veterinarian.
Rabies vaccine
Immediately after chipping, the dog must be vaccinated against rabies. This can be done from the age of 12 weeks. The vet will then give you a certificate stating this:
- race or type of dog;
- sex;
- coat color;
- microchip number;
- date of rabies vaccination.
Insurance
Dog owners are responsible for damages caused by their dogs. Therefore, the owner must take out a compulsory insurance: it covers any action of the animal that may cause material damage and/or bodily injury to a third party.
Every dog owner must register his dog with the municipality where he lives, by presenting the veterinary certificate previously issued to you. You will also need a certificate of insurance. You will receive a special receipt as proof.
Where to go?
You must go directly to the commune where you live. You can find the addresses of all the offices on the website guichet.lu
After all these formalities, you can be considered the official owner of your pet. All you have to do now is to take it for a walk on time. In Luxembourg, owners are obliged to clean up after their animals and feed them well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to adopt a dog from an animal shelter in Luxembourg?
What is the tax for dogs in Luxembourg?
Are there any special conditions for keeping dogs in Luxembourg?
Source: guichet.public.lu, legilux.public.lu, nextimmo.lu
We took photos from these sources: Veronika Jorjobert, Unsplash, gotdaflow, Unsplash