The Dutch Positive List
for Pets
The Dutch Positive List for Pets
At AAP, we aim to improve the future of exotic mammals in a sustainable manner. We provide shelter to animals in need and simultaneously advocate for better legislation on animal welfare. For years, we have been pushing for the implementation of a Dutch Positive List to prevent the trade and keeping of unsuitable exotic pets.
And with success: thanks to the efforts of AAP and other animal protection and welfare organizations, the Dutch government will introduce a Positive List for mammals in 2024.
And with success: thanks to the efforts of AAP and other animal protection and welfare organizations, the Dutch government will introduce a Positive List for mammals in 2024.
What is a Positive List?
The Positive List (also known as the Pets and Hobby Animals List in the Netherlands) is a compilation of mammal species deemed safe and suitable by independent experts for keeping as pets by owners without expertise knowledge or experience. The list is based on a comprehensive scientific risk assessment that takes into account the health and welfare of animals, public health and safety.All animal species not on the list are automatically not allowed to be traded by private owners or kept as pets. This may be because these species require specialized care, can carry dangerous diseases, or have needs that typical households cannot meet.
Why is a Positive List needed
in the Netherlands?
Breeding, trading, and keeping exotic pets pose numerous problems, a fact well-known to AAP. Many animals in our shelter were once kept as pets, from servals to skunks and meerkats to sugar gliders.Without a Positive List, it is entirely legal, even in the Netherlands, to keep these animals at home, with all the associated consequences. Many owners want to get rid of their servals or fennec foxes when they realize that these animals are not as pleasant, tame, or safe as expected. Consequently, animals are often abandoned or surrendered, and rescue centers like AAP are inundated with requests for shelter. The exotic pets we rescue often exhibit health or behavioral issues, mainly due to not receiving the proper care, nutrition, and/or housing.
Benefits of a Positive List
- 1 Clearly specifies which animals are allowed as pets
- 2 Prevents animal suffering
- 3 Protects biodiversity
- 4 Prevents a decline in wild animal populations
- 5 Protects public health
Diseases or Injuries
Apart from animal suffering, there are many reasons why keeping an exotic animal at home is not a good idea. Exotic animals can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans and can injure other animals or people by scratching or biting.Furthermore, unregulated trade in exotic pets contributes to a decline in the population of wild animals, as many are poached from their natural habitats by hunters. Some species are even threatened with extinction as a result. Lastly, exotic pets sometimes escape or are released into the wild, disrupting native species and upsetting local ecosystems. With 50 years of experience in rescuing exotic mammals, AAP is convinced that the Positive List is the most effective tool to address these and other issues related to the trade and keeping of exotic pets in the Netherlands.
The Story of Serval Kadri
Serval Kadri was kept as a pet in the Netherlands. After biting his owner, he was surrendered to AAP. Unfortunately, it is still legal to keep a serval as a pet without a Positive List.
Development and Implementation of the Dutch Positive List
The introduction of the Dutch Positive List for pets (also known as Pets and Hobby Animals List), expected in 2024, has a long history. As early as 1992, the Animal Welfare Act was enacted, specifying the need for such a list to regulate the proliferation of exotic animals among private individuals.Previous attempts (such as in 2015) to implement the Positive List failed because hobby animal owners successfully objected to the assessment method used. For the list taking effect in 2024, a completely new assessment method was developed by the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Positive List.
Which animals are on the Dutch Positive List?
Using this method, the Advisory College for the Pets and Hobby Animals List evaluated over 300 mammal species kept in the Netherlands for suitability. Only 30 species received a positive assessment, prompting the college to recommend placing them on the Positive List. This list was published on the website of the Dutch government in July 2022.Both the Advisory committee and the Advisory college were assembled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality and comprised independent scientific experts. AAP and other animal welfare organizations closely followed and promoted the development of the list for pets and hobbies but were not involved in the assessment of species. Questions about the assessment and enforcement can be directed to the Dutch government.
Positive lists for reptiles, amphibians, and birds have been announced but have not yet been drafted.
How does the Dutch Positive List work in practice?
If you want to read more about the Dutch list for mammals and how it works in practice, check out our Question and Answer page.
The Positive List in Europe
AAP advocates for the development of positive lists both at the national and European levels. Our ultimate goal is to have a Positive List that applies to the entire European Union. Our voice is being heard: by the end of 2022, the European Parliament had adopted two resolutions mentioning the Positive List as a solution to the growing risks and animal welfare problems associated with keeping unsuitable exotic mammals as pets.