You can’t just abandon a pet and forget about it: Kazakhstan changes animal-keeping rules

Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstan has clarified the procedure for owners who can no longer keep a pet. In such cases, they must follow the procedure established by law.
What has changed
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has amended two provisions of the standard rules for keeping pets. They concern situations in which a person is no longer able to care for their animal.
At present, the rules only require owners to make arrangements for the animal’s future care. The new version specifies exactly where the pet may be transferred.
The owner will be able to transfer the pet:

to an animal shelter;
to a temporary holding facility;
to another person or organization capable of providing the necessary conditions.

A separate rule has been introduced for temporary holding facilities. If an owner places an animal there, they will be required to cover the cost of its upkeep until the animal’s future is determined.
The rules also clarify when the owner’s obligations end.

“Abandoning an animal does not terminate the obligations of the pet owner or responsible person toward the animal until another person acquires ownership rights to it, the pet is transferred to an animal shelter, or its legal status is determined after being placed in a temporary holding facility,” the order states.

The rules will take effect on August 24, 2026.
What is known about the rules for keeping and walking pets
The standard rules establish how people in Kazakhstan must keep and walk their pets. In particular, owners must take into account the animal’s biological and individual characteristics and monitor its health.
The rules prohibit leaving pets unattended. If an owner is temporarily unable to look after a pet, they may place it in a shelter or pet hotel, or entrust it to another person for a certain period.
Separate requirements apply to walking animals. In public places, an ordinary dog must be kept on a leash no longer than two meters. In crowds, during transportation and in specially designated areas, the dog must wear a muzzle. Cats must be walked on a harness and leash.

“Dogs may be allowed off leash in specially designated areas and at dog-walking grounds,” the rules state.

Dogs are not allowed to roam freely in populated areas. Animals also cannot be walked on the grounds of kindergartens, educational, medical or sports facilities, on children’s or sports playgrounds, or in places where prohibitory signs are installed.
Owners are not allowed to leave animals in common areas, such as stairwells, basements or attics. The rules also prohibit keeping them on the grounds surrounding apartment buildings.