Tip: If you are renting a house or apartment, check first whether the contract allows you to have pets.
Animal food
Food for animals can be bought at pet stores (dierenwinkels), which also sell treats, games, toys, beds, and other things for pets. Pet food and treats can also be found at most supermarkets and from online websites.
Boarding kennels
When you go on holiday, you can leave your pet with a friend or at a boarding kennel (dierenpension). Book early! Kennels are often fully booked in school holidays. Kennels usually have set opening hours for picking up and dropping off, and they may be closed for pick up and drop off on Sundays and bank holidays.
Buying or adopting a pet
To adopt cats and dogs, contact the local animal shelter (dierenasiel). Alternatively, visit the Ik zoek baas! website where you can find pets which are up for adoption. You can also buy cats and dogs from official breeders. Pet stores sell small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
In all cases, ensure that you choose responsible sellers and look out for poor animal practices. Those who sell animals in the Netherlands are not allowed to sell pets to anyone younger than 16 and must give the buyer written information about the animal. Professional or hobby breeders are not allowed to use animals that have serious genetic defects, diseases, or behavioral problems for breeding purposes. There are also rules regarding how often animals can be used for breeding.
Always check whether the animal has all the vaccinations, microchip, and documents that are required.
See government.nl for more information on the rules and regulations.
Dogs
Registering and microchipping a dog
Dogs must be microchipped and registered with the Dutch Pet database (Nederlandse Databank voor Gezelschapsdieren / NDG) by a vet. If your dog has already been chipped in another country, it might need to have a new chip so that it can be registered in the Netherlands. See importing pets for more information.
You are not allowed to microchip your own dog. If you buy a dog that is already microchipped, you need to register the dog in your own name. You will also need to update the registration if you move house, sell your dog, or your dog dies.
Pet passport
Your dog needs to have a European pet passport.
Dog tax
Dog owners have to pay dog tax (hondenbelasting) in certain cities. The amount depends on which city you live in and how many dogs you have. Check with your local municipality whether you need to register your dog for dog tax. If you are required to register, you need to do so within 14 days.
Walking dogs off-leash
Dogs are only allowed off-leash at designated off-leash areas (hondenlosloopterreinen).
In addition, at certain times of year there may be additional signs in nature areas asking you to keep your dog on the leash at all times. This is often in the spring/early summer (from approximately mid-March to mid-July) when wild animals are breeding and there may be mothers with baby animals who can easily be disturbed by loose dogs, even if the dogs do not chase them. Look out for the “kraamkamer van de natuur” (nature’s nursery) signs, stick to the paths, and keep your dog on the leash.
Dog waste
Dog owners who do not pick up after their dog/s can be fined.
Dog obedience school
There are a number of dog obedience schools (hondenscholen) throughout the region.
Dog walking services
If you need help walking your dog, there are dog walking services (hondenuitlaatservices).
Dog grooming services
If your dog needs grooming, washing or clipping, you can go to a grooming service (trimsalon). Book early! Trimsalons are often booked up in advance. Some also offer grooming services for cats.
Dog bites
Dog owners are liable if their dog bites someone. The Pet Information Centre (LICG - Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren) has information in English on dog bite incidents - what to do if it happens to you as well as how to prevent them.
Farewell
The death of a pet is always sad, but it is important to be aware that there are regulations. See the NVWA website for more information (in Dutch). You can also contact your vet for advice and assistance.
Finding a lost or abandoned animal
If you find a lost or abandoned pet, you can take it to an animal shelter (dierenasiel). The people working there will try to trace the original owner or find a new one.
You can also call the animal ambulance who will transport sick, injured and lost animals to a nearby shelter, veterinarian or animal hospital.
If you see an animal that needs emergency care in Eindhoven, call the Animal Ambulances for Southeast Brabant (Dierenambulances Brabant Zuid-Oost) on 0900 - 112 0000. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Importing a pet
See importing a pet on the importing page.
Microchipping
Microchipping is compulsory for dogs (see dogs section). Although not compulsory for cats, it is possible to microchip and register cats with the Dutch Pet database (Nederlandse Databank voor Gezelschapsdieren / NDG). Should your cat go missing, a microchip makes it easier for you to be reunited if someone else finds them. Your veterinarian can microchip your cat.
Missing pets (vermiste dieren)
If your pet goes missing and it is microchipped and registered, you can notify the Dutch Pet database (Nederlandse Databank voor Gezelschapsdieren / NDG) and/or the local animal ambulance (dierenambulance). You can also put up posters and post on social media or neighborhood groups.
Veterinarians
There are many veterinarians (dierenartsen / dierenkliniek) in the Netherlands. Find one in your neighborhood or ask a neighbor for a recommendation.