Where you can and where you can not with companion animals: new rules for visiting shops, cafes

Clarifications on how to visit with companion animals outlets, catering establishments, as well as objects of household and social services, prepared MART and MHKH – so that the norms of legislation are applied in practice as effectively as possible. This is reported by the press service of the Government.

The rights of owners of objects: the format “dog-friendly”

Owners of retail, household, social facilities and catering establishments can create comfortable conditions for visitors with companion animals and independently establish the rules for their visit, including working in the dog-friendly format. At the same time, any adopted rules should not violate the requirements of legislation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

Features of visiting mixed shopping facilities

If food and non-food products are sold in the same facility at the same time, the owner has the right to determine the procedure for visiting with companion animals. However, this rule does not apply to the part of the premises where food is sold: entry with animals is not allowed.

The admission of animals is reported

Information that the object allows visiting with companion animals is communicated to visitors in any convenient form - there are no uniform requirements for registration.

Duties of visitors with companion animals

According to the law, visitors who come with pets are obliged to:

treat the animal in such a way as not to violate the rights and legitimate interests of other people;

take measures that exclude the risk of harm to the life and health of people or other animals, as well as property;

immediately remove the pet’s waste products – except when it comes to a guide dog.

Placement of a memo with rules

It is recommended to issue the listed requirements in the form of a memo and place it in a place accessible to visitors. The exception is the facilities where retail trade in food products is conducted: there such a memo is not required.

Relations in the field of animal treatment in Belarus are regulated by the law of April 1, 2024 No. 361-Z.

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