The Council of Ministers has approved the draft law on the National Register of Marked Dogs and Cats (KROPiK), introducing a universal obligation for dog microchipping. The new regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to drastically reduce animal homelessness and cut costs borne by local governments for maintaining shelters. The system will mandatorily cover all dogs and selected groups of cats, including those intended for sale or entering care facilities.

Universal KROPiK Register

A central database managed by the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARiMR) will be created, storing information about marked animals.

Mandatory Dog Microchipping

Every dog in Poland will have to have a microchip with a unique identification number assigned to its owner.

Selective Obligation for Cats

Cat microchipping will be required only in shelters and breeding facilities; for other owners, it will remain voluntary.

Reduction of Municipal Costs

The system is intended to limit local government spending on shelters by enabling faster location of animal owners.

Donald Tusk's government has given the green light for a fundamental reform in animal protection. The draft law on the National Register of Marked Dogs and Cats (KROPiK) envisages the introduction of an electronic identification system that will allow for the quick determination of the owner of a lost or abandoned animal. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jacek Czerniak announced the government's decision during a meeting of the Sejm's Special Committee, emphasizing that it is a milestone in the fight against pet homelessness. Poland has been struggling with the problem of overcrowded shelters for years. According to reports from the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) from past decades, the lack of a central database prevented the effective enforcement of owner responsibility for abandoning animals.The new regulations impose an absolute obligation of microchipping on all dog owners. For cats, this obligation will be selective – it is to apply to animals staying in shelters and those introduced into commercial trade. Other cat owners will be able to register their pets voluntarily. The task is to be entrusted to the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture, which will be the database operator. At the same time, parallel civic and parliamentary bills are being processed in the Sejm, including the initiative "Stop Chains, Pseudobreeding and Animal Homelessness," which has been signed by over 500,000 citizens. „Chciałem podzielić się radosną nowiną. Rząd przyjął projekt ustawy o Krajowym Rejestrze Oznakowanych Psów i Kotów.” (I wanted to share joyful news. The government has adopted the draft law on the National Register of Marked Dogs and Cats.) — Jacek CzerniakThe key argument for introducing the changes is the economic aspect. Currently, municipalities spend hundreds of millions of zlotys annually on capturing and maintaining homeless animals in shelters. Thanks to registration and identification, this cost is expected to be significantly reduced, as animals will be able to return to their homes more quickly, instead of spending their entire lives in municipal facilities.

Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizes the humanitarian aspect and the fight against animal suffering, highlighting the role of social organizations in pressuring the government. Draws attention to the costs for owners and the potential bureaucracy in creating a new state register.

Mentioned People

  • Jacek Czerniak — Deputy Minister of Agriculture, who informed about the government's decision.
  • Donald Tusk — Prime Minister, whose government adopted the draft law.
  • Ewa Szymanowska — MP who justified the parliamentary bill concerning the prevention of homelessness.