Animal Welfare Law and Invasive Species Law Explained Simply | Basic Knowledge of Domestic Legal Regulations Pet Owners Should Know | ブリちょく
General| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Animal Welfare Law and Invasive Species Law Explained Simply | Basic Knowledge of Domestic Legal Regulations Pet Owners Should Know
A guide to the basics of the Animal Welfare and Management Law (Animal Welfare Law) and the Law for Prevention of Damage to Ecosystems by Specified Invasive Species. We provide an easy-to-understand introduction to the rules governing rearing, breeding, selling, and abandonment, and the risks of violations.
Key Takeaways
A guide to the basics of the Animal Welfare and Management Law (Animal Welfare Law) and the Law for Prevention of Damage to Ecosystems by Specified Invasive Species. We provide an easy-to-understand introduction to the rules governing rearing, breeding, selling, and abandonment, and the risks of violations.
When raising, breeding, or selling pets, there are laws you cannot afford to ignore. The Animal Welfare Law and the Invasive Species Law—these two laws are basic rules that everyone engaged in pet-related activities in Japan must understand. In this article, we clearly organize the purpose of each law, their major regulations, and the risks of violations.
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BreederDirect Editorial
The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
Animal Welfare Law (Law for the Welfare and Management of Animals)
Purpose of the Law
The Animal Welfare Law is legislation that aims to realize a coexistence society between humans and animals by promoting the proper rearing, care, and breeding of animals and prohibiting animal cruelty and abandonment. It was established in 1973 and was significantly strengthened by amendments in 2019.
Main Rules
① Prohibition of Animal Cruelty and Abandonment
Intentionally injuring animals or killing or wounding them without valid cause is subject to imprisonment for no more than 2 years or a fine of up to 2 million yen (for corporations, a fine of up to 100 million yen). Abandonment or relinquishment is also punishable by imprisonment for no more than 1 year or a fine of up to 1 million yen.
Acts such as releasing an animal because "we couldn't keep them due to moving" are also considered abandonment or relinquishment.
② Obligation for Proper Care
Pet owners are obligated to "provide an environment where the animals they keep can live healthy and safely." Specifically:
Appropriate rearing space, temperature control, and nutritional management
Proper management for infectious disease prevention
Identification of ownership (microchips, ID tags, etc.)
As of June 2022, microchip implantation and registration for dogs and cats has been made mandatory (for animals purchased from breeders). For animals received from individuals, it is also a best-effort obligation.
③ Registration as a Class 1 Animal Handler
If you engage in sales, breeding for sales, or lending (including exhibition and training) of pets such as dogs, cats, reptiles, and birds on a continuous and repeated basis, you must register as a Class 1 Animal Handler with the prefectural governor.
Examples of applicable business types:
- Pet shops (sales business)
- Breeders (breeding and sales business)
- Pet hotels (care/storage business)
- Pet training facilities (training business)
- Animal cafes (exhibition business)
Operating without registration is subject to a fine of up to 1 million yen. Even "selling occasionally as a hobby" may be determined to require registration if it constitutes continuous and repeated sales.
Main Points of the 2019 Amendment
Key points of the 2019 amendment with particularly significant impact:
8-Week Age Rule (Puppy Mill Regulation): Dogs and cats cannot be sold or transferred for sale until they have passed 56 days (8 weeks) of age
Strengthened Animal Cruelty Penalties: Punishment for killing/wounding increased from 1 year to 2 years, and fines increased from 500,000 yen to 2 million yen
Microchip Mandate: Phased implementation
Numerical Limits on Animal Numbers: Introduction of numerical regulations (maximum number of animals that can be kept per breeder)
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Invasive Species Law (Law for Prevention of Damage to Ecosystems by Specified Invasive Species)
Purpose of the Law
This law, enacted in 2005, aims to prevent damage to Japan's native ecosystems, agriculture, and human health from invasive species brought from overseas. It designates particularly problematic species as specified invasive species and regulates their rearing, cultivation, import, sale, and transfer.
What Is Prohibited When Designated as a Specified Invasive Species?
Species designated as specified invasive species are, in principle:
Prohibited from being kept, cultivated, stored, or transported
Prohibited from being imported
Prohibited from being released or planted in the wild
Prohibited from being sold, distributed, or transferred (including free transfers)
Violations carry severe penalties: individuals: imprisonment for no more than 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen; corporations: fines of up to 100 million yen.
※ Regarding Red-eared Slider Turtles (Red-eared Terrapins): As of June 2023, they were conditionally designated as specified invasive species. Currently, individuals already being kept can continue to be kept under a registration system, but new purchases, imports, breeding, sales, and transfers are generally prohibited.
Fish and Crustaceans
- Bluegill and largemouth bass (black bass)
- Red swamp crayfish (conditionally designated 2023)
- Like red-eared sliders, existing populations can continue under a registration system
Mammals
- Raccoons
- Nutria
- Four hedgehog species (African pygmy hedgehogs, etc., can be kept if not designated)
Caution: Undesignated Species with Import Restrictions
Even if not designated as specified invasive species, many species are subject to import and possession restrictions under the Washington Convention (CITES), Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Law, Rabies Prevention Law, and other regulations. Always check the regulatory status before purchasing.
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Caution: Also Note "Specified Animals"
Within the Animal Welfare Law, there is also a classification called "specified animals." This refers to animals that may cause harm to human life or body, such as those with high risk of bites or infection.
Keeping specified animals requires approval from the prefectural governor, and obligations such as installing escape-prevention facilities and signage are imposed.
Examples of major specified animals:
- Crocodiles (all species)
- Large cats (lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc.)
- Venomous snakes (rattlesnakes, cobras, etc.)
- Large primates (chimpanzees, etc.)
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Points Breeders and Sellers Should Especially Note
On Br-Choku, when listing items as a breeder, you are required to provide your Class 1 Animal Handler registration number. This is to allow buyers to verify that they are purchasing from a trustworthy business.
Checklist: Things to confirm before starting sales activities
[ ] Confirm that the species you plan to sell are not designated as specified invasive species or specified animals
[ ] If engaging in continuous sales activities, complete registration as a Class 1 Animal Handler
[ ] For dogs and cats, sell only after they are over 56 days (8 weeks) old
[ ] Microchip mandate compliance (dogs and cats)
[ ] Verify that your rearing environment meets numerical regulations (maximum animal numbers, cage size, etc.)
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Summary
The major laws in Japan governing pet ownership, breeding, and sales are important rules for the coexistence of animals and humans. Strict penalties have been established that you cannot overlook, so be sure to thoroughly understand them before beginning your activities.
To continue safe and secure transactions while complying with the law, we recommend using transparent platforms like Br-Choku.
For finding a home to live with your pet, sumuie (Sumuie), which specializes in pet-friendly rentals, is convenient. For detailed information about the investment value and profitability of pet-friendly properties, see shueki (Earnings).
