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LifestyleNetherlands

Only 30 Mammal Species Left on the Dutch Official List of Pets

Starting Monday, hundreds of mammals will be removed from the official list of animals that can be kept as pets in the Netherlands, leading to a surge in demand for certain animals like the Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) in pet shops.

This new regulation means that these animals can no longer be bred or sold as pets. Owners will have to prove that their now-illegal pets were registered before the July 1 deadline to avoid penalties. Marika Stoevelaar, who owns 15 Russian hamsters, expressed her concern to RTL Nieuws about the potential rise of a black market for these popular rodents. She criticized the new official pet list as being “totally random.”

“Russian hamsters have been kept here as pets for 60 years,” Stoevelaar said. “They make a great pet, and now they will be banned.”

Despite the ban on Russian hamsters, some rodents, such as brown rats, gerbils, and Chinese dwarf hamsters, will remain legal. Additionally, animals like water buffalos, ferrets, and llamas will continue to be on the official pet list.

The official list of 30 pets was established based on several criteria, including the animal’s ability to adapt to the Dutch climate, their dietary needs, the risk of spreading diseases, and the amount of space they require. Only mammals classified as A, B, or C risk can be kept as pets from July 1. The Russian hamster is classified as D because experts argue that they need to burrow into the ground to build nests and are adapted to the climate of the Russian Steppes.

Currently, there is no official list detailing which birds, reptiles, and insects can be kept as pets. This lack of regulation for other types of animals adds to the complexity and controversy surrounding the new mammal pet list.

The new rules have sparked a significant debate among pet owners and animal enthusiasts, highlighting the challenges of balancing animal welfare with pet ownership rights. As the changes take effect, the impact on pet shops, breeders, and owners will become more apparent, potentially reshaping the pet landscape in the Netherlands.

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