The serval, meerkat and sloth should no longer be kept as pets in the future. The animal species are not included in Wednesday published list of pets and hobby animals of Minister Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, ChristenUnie). The list includes thirty mammals that can be kept as pets. The cabinet will come up with the list to better protect animal welfare and human safety.
In recent years, a special advisory board, commissioned by the cabinet, has assessed more than 300 mammal species on, among other things, the risk of injury to humans, the risk of transmissible diseases from animal to human and the use of space and social behavior of the animal. The 30 allowed animal species include common pets such as guinea pigs, dogs and domestic cats, but also the polecat, the Chinese water deer and the water buffalo.
The list is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2024. Anyone who already owns an animal that is not on the list may keep the animal after that date until it dies. This also applies to the young of which an animal is pregnant at the moment the list comes into effect. These animals may also still be traded. New animals from abroad are no longer welcome as pets from the start of the list.