Understanding the Animal Protection Act and Invasive Alien Species Act — Essential Legal Knowledge for Pet Owners and Breeders

When raising, breeding, or selling pets, there are laws you cannot afford to ignore. The "Animal Protection and Management Act" and the "Act on Prevention of Damage Caused by Invasive Alien Species"—these two laws are fundamental rules that anyone engaged in pet-related activities in Japan must understand. This article explains the purpose, main regulations, and risks of violations for each law in simple, practical terms.

Animal Protection and Management Act

Purpose of the Law

The Animal Protection and Management Act aims to realize a society where humans and animals coexist by promoting proper care, management, and breeding of animals and prohibiting animal abuse and abandonment. Enacted in 1973, it was significantly strengthened by a major revision in 2019.

Key Rules

① Prohibition of Animal Abuse and Abandonment

Deliberately injuring an animal or killing or injuring an animal without justifiable cause is subject to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 5 million yen (as amended and enforced in June 2020). Abandonment or neglect is also punishable by imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to 1 million yen.

Actions such as releasing an animal because you cannot keep it due to moving also constitute abandonment or neglect.

② Duty of Proper Care

Pet owners are legally required to ensure that animals in their care can live healthy and safe lives. Specifically, this includes:

• Providing appropriate living space, temperature, and nutrition management
• Proper health management to prevent infectious diseases
• Identification of ownership (microchipping, ID tags, etc.)

Starting in June 2022, microchipping and registration became mandatory for dogs and cats purchased from breeders. Even when acquiring animals from individuals, owners are encouraged to microchip them.

③ Class 1 Animal Handling Business Registration

Anyone who continuously and repeatedly engages in selling, breeding for sale, or renting out (including display and training) of pets such as dogs, cats, reptiles, and birds must register with the prefectural governor as a Class 1 Animal Handling Business.

Examples of regulated businesses:

• Pet shops (sales business)
• Breeders (breeding and sales business)
• Pet hotels (boarding business)
• Pet training facilities (training business)
• Animal cafés (display business)

Operating without registration is subject to fines up to 1 million yen. Even occasional sales described as "just a hobby" may be deemed to require registration if determined to be continuous and repetitive.

Key Points from the 2019 Revision

The 2019 revision had particularly significant impacts:

1. 8-Week Age Restriction (Puppy Mill Regulation): Sale or transfer for sale of puppies and kittens is prohibited until 56 days (8 weeks) of age
2. Strengthened Penalties for Animal Abuse: Penalties increased from 1 year imprisonment to 2 years, and fines from 500,000 yen to 2 million yen
3. Microchipping Mandate: Implemented in stages
4. Breeding Limit Regulations: Introduction of numerical limits on the number of animals breeders can keep

Act on Prevention of Damage Caused by Invasive Alien Species

Purpose of the Law

This law was enacted in 2005 to prevent damage to Japan's native ecosystems, agriculture, and human health caused by invasive alien species brought from overseas. It designates particularly problematic species as invasive alien species and regulates their breeding, cultivation, importation, sale, and transfer.

What is Prohibited When a Species is Designated as Invasive Alien?

Species designated as invasive alien are generally prohibited from:

• Breeding, cultivation, possession, and transportation
• Importation
• Release into the wild or planting
• Sale, distribution, or transfer (including free transfer)

Violations carry severe penalties: Individuals face up to 3 years imprisonment or fines up to 3 million yen; corporations face fines up to 100 million yen.

Major Invasive Alien Species in Pet-Related Activities

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Alligator Snapping Turtle (breeding prohibited)
• American Bullfrog (general breeding prohibited)
• Red-eared Slider (designated in 2023: conditional regulation)

※ Red-eared Slider (Midori Turtle) Note: In June 2023, it was conditionally designated as an invasive alien species. Individuals currently keeping these turtles can continue care under a registration system, but new purchases, imports, breeding, sales, and transfers are generally prohibited.

Fish and Crustaceans

• Bluegill and Largemouth Bass (Black Bass)
• Crayfish (designated with conditions in 2023)
• Similar to the red-eared slider, existing household breeding can continue without application, permission, or notification

Mammals

• Raccoon
• Nutria
• Four Hedgehog Species (African Pygmy Hedgehogs and others not designated can be kept)

Important: Species Under Import Restrictions Even Without Designation

Even if not designated as invasive alien species, many species are subject to import and possession restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Prevention Act, the Rabies Prevention Act, and other regulations. Always confirm the regulatory status before purchasing.

Special Note: "Designated Dangerous Animals"

Within the Animal Protection and Management Act is a category called "designated dangerous animals." These are animals that pose a risk of bites or infection transmission and may cause harm to human life or body.

Following the June 2020 revision of the Act, new private ownership of designated dangerous animals is prohibited. Only when kept for purposes such as exhibition at zoos or research is a permit from the prefectural governor required, along with obligations for containment facilities and warning signs (individuals already keeping such animals before the revision may continue with proper procedures).

Examples of Designated Dangerous Animals:

• Crocodilians (all species)
• Large felids (lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc.)
• Venomous snakes (rattlesnakes, cobras, etc.)
• Large primates (chimpanzees, etc.)

Points Breeders and Sellers Should Pay Special Attention To

When listing on BreederDirect as a breeder, you are required to provide your Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration number. This ensures that buyers can confirm they are "purchasing from a trustworthy seller."

Checklist: Verify Before Starting Sales Activities

• Confirm that the species you plan to sell is not designated as invasive alien or dangerous
• If engaging in continuous sales activities, complete Class 1 Animal Handling Business registration
• For dogs and cats, ensure animals are over 56 days (8 weeks) of age before sale
• Comply with microchipping requirements (dogs and cats)
• Verify that breeding facilities meet numerical regulations (animal limits, enclosure size, etc.)

Summary

Japan's major laws governing pet care, breeding, and sales are important rules for peaceful coexistence between animals and humans. Because severe penalties are imposed for violations, it is essential to confirm compliance before starting your activities.

To maintain safe and trustworthy transactions while following the law, we recommend using transparent platforms like BreederDirect.

For pet owners seeking pet-friendly housing, sumuie specializes in pet-friendly rental properties. For information about the investment value and profitability of pet-friendly properties, shueki offers detailed explanations.