The keeping of animals of non-domestic species may be:

• Free, i.e. no formalities required
• Or be subject to declaration
• Or be subject to prior authorization

Non-domestic animals are thus classified in 3 categories by a ministerial order (annex 2) :

1. Species of which detention in captivity is free. These are the species listed in column (a) of the table in annex 2 to the ministerial order. In this case, the animals must not be kept for commercial purposes in order to be sold. For some species, the holding is free provided that no more than a certain number of animals are kept. If this number is exceeded, detention becomes, depending on the case, subject to declaration or authorization.
2. Species subject to captivity statement to the prefect of the department of the place of detention. These are the species listed in column (b) of the table in annex 2 to the ministerial order. In this case, the animals must not be kept for commercial purposes in order to be sold. Detention is subject to declaration provided that no more than a certain number of animals are kept. If this number is exceeded, detention becomes subject to authorization.
3. Species subject to captivity authorisation and to holding a certificate of fitness for the maintenance of those animals. These are the species listed in column (c) of the table in annex 2 to the ministerial order. The place where these animals are housed automatically constitutes a breeding establishment and you're automatically considered a rancher. The keeping of such animals shall be subject to authorization to open the breeding establishment by the prefect of the department in which the establishment is situated. And one of these conditions must be met:
   
   • The number of animals on the farm is equal to or greater than the number indicated in column (c) of the table in Annex 2 to the Ministerial Order. For some species, this number is 1, that is, the place of detention shall be regarded as a livestock holding and the existence of that place is subject to prefectural authorization and holding a certificate of competence even if you have only one animal
   • Or the number of adult animals housed exceeds 40 for mammals, 100 for birds, 40 for reptiles or 40 for amphibians
   • Or the total number of adult animals housed exceeds 40 if they belong to more than one of the following zoological classes: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians
   • Or it is for profit

Thus, the sale of a non-domestic animal by an individual is prohibited.

You can purchase a non-domestic animal from a shelter, pet shop or breeding facility.

He is forbidden to bring into France, to hold, to transport, to exchange, to sell or to buy certain species. The names of the species concerned are followed by the symbol * in the table in Annex 2 to the Ministerial Order.

Failure to comply with these provisions can be punished by 3 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.

Declaration of detention

Where the holding of one or more animals is subject to declaration, this shall be done on the Internet or by means of a cerfa form.

Obtaining the certificate of competence for the maintenance of animals

To obtain the certificate of maintenance capacity of non-domestic animals listed in column (c) of the table in Annex 2 of the Ministerial Order, you must submit an application to the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection (DDPP) of the prefecture of the department of your home.

Your application must specify your surname, first name, address and the type of general or special qualification you wish.

Contact your prefecture. She can tell you exactly what to do.

The certificate of capability may be granted for an indefinite or limited period. It may be suspended or withdrawn.

The certificate of competence shall indicate the species and type of activities for which it is granted and, where appropriate, the number of animals authorized for maintenance.

The certificate beneficiary may apply for its amendment in accordance with the same procedure as the initial application.

The certificate of competence shall be personal.

Authorization to open a breeding establishment

An application for authorization to open an establishment housing animals of non-domestic species whose holding is subject to authorization shall be submitted to the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) of the Prefecture of the department where the establishment is located.

Depending on the prefectures, the application for authorization must be submitted in paper or digital form and the number of copies requested may vary. Check with your local prefecture beforehand.

There is no application form. The information and documents requested may vary from one prefecture to another. However, your application must include at least a copy of your certificate of fitness for animal care and the following information:

• Your identity: your name, first name, address and phone number
• List of animals you plan to keep: scientific and vernacular names, total number of species you plan to keep, number of specimens per species
• Description of installations and equipment: number and dimensions of enclosures, cage, aviary, terrarium, pond, aquarium, description of lighting, heating, ventilation system, measures taken to prevent animal escape, etc.

Check with your prefecture in advance to find out all the information and documents to be provided.

Certificate of Assignment

When the purchase of the animal is transferred, the shelter or the seller draws up a certificate of transfer in two copies.

The certificate of assignment is co-signed by a representative of the shelter or the seller.

You keep 1 copy, the other one is kept by the shelter or seller.

The information on the certificate of transfer shall differ according to whether the animal belongs to a protected species or not. 

Backgrounder

The shelter or vendor must provide you with a French-language information document containing the following information:

• Scientific and vernacular names of the species
• Protection status
• Longevity
• Adult height
• Social lifestyle
• Behavior and in particular dangerousness
• Mode of reproduction
• Diet and daily ration
• Accommodation conditions
• Any additional information deemed useful to ensure that the physiological and behavioral needs of the animal are met

This backgrounder also says, “In order to preserve wildlife, the animal you just acquired must not be released into the natural environment.”

The information document may be common to several species where they have the same maintenance needs and conditions.

This information document may be submitted by electronic means.

A mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian belonging to a protected species must be identified and entered in the national non-domestic animal identification register (I-Fap) before being transferred to you.

Identification shall be carried out by the following means:

• Tattoo or electronic chip for mammals
• Ring or electronic chip for birds
• An electronic chip or, where they are small, dated photographs accompanied by a graduated scale, taken at the juvenile stage and then at the adult stage, for reptiles and amphibians

If the identification device is to be removed during veterinary treatment, a new identification must be carried out by the veterinarian at the end of the treatment.

Identification consists in assigning the animal a unique number and registering your name and address with the I-Fap, associated with this number.

Your pet identification allows you to contact you if your pet is found after being lost or stolen. It is also a guarantee of its origin and a means of combating trafficking.

The I-Fap identification declaration shall include the following information:

• Description of the animal
• Scientific and vernacular names of the species or subspecies
• Sex if known
• Age or date of birth if known
• Special Characters
• Origin (captive birth, import)
• Identification process (chip, tattoo, etc.) and location
• Identification number
• If there is a new identification: process, location and number of the old identification
• The date on which identification was performed
• Date of acquisition of the animal
• Surname, first name and postal address of the owner at the time of identification
• Name, forename and postal address of the person who carried out the identification

When the animal is transferred, the shelter or seller provides you with the original of the animal identification declaration to I-Fap and keeps a copy of it.

You must make the declaration of change of ownership of the animal to I-Fap within 8 days after the transfer.

Identification of protected wildlife (I-fap) - User area

You must notify I-Fap of any changes to your contact details (postal address, telephone number, email address).

You must also report the death, loss or theft of your pet.

You must make these declarations within 15 working days of the event justifying them.

If you have animals whose detention is subject to statement or to prior authorization and holding a certificate of competence, you must keep a record of the entry and exit of non-domestic animals kept in captivity.

This register, the pages of which are numbered, must contain, written in ink, without blanks, or overprint, in the header, your name, forename and address of the place where the animals are kept and, for each animal, the following information:

• Species to which it belongs, designated by its scientific name and its vernacular name
• Identification number if the animal belongs to a protected species and identification is therefore mandatory
• Date of arrival of the animal at your home and origin of the animal
• Date of departure of the animal, destination and if applicable cause of death

The register must be filled in on the same day at each event. All documents proving the correctness of the information recorded must be annexed to the register.

The register may be kept in digital form if it provides any guarantee of proof.

You must keep the register and supporting documents for at least 5 years from the closure of the register. The register shall be considered closed when the reason for departure is completed and dated for all the animals entered.

The owner of a pet must provide a quality food sufficiently balanced and in adequate quantity to keep him in good health.

One clean water supply, frequently renewed and protected from frost in winter if the animal lives outdoors, must be constantly available in a clean container.

It is forbidden to keep a pet in conditions incompatible with its physiological needs, in particular as regards ventilation, light or heating.

In all circumstances, the animal must have sufficient space and shelter from the elements.

He is forbidden to lock an animal in the trunk of a car without an effective ventilation system, both when stationary and in operation.

When an animal remains inside a vehicle in extended parking, the handler must ensure that the animal has enough air.

In hot or sunny weather, enclosing an animal in a car should be avoided. If this is not possible, the vehicle should be parked in a shaded area.

Depending on the animal, you must have a suitable cage, a truck or a van.

As the owner of an animal, you are liable for any damage caused by your animal, whether it has been in your custody or has gone astray or escaped.

It is forbidden to let a non-domestic animal tame or held in captivity ramble.

A non-domestic animal tamed or held in captivity, found wandering, can be impounded at the request of the mayor.

An individual may also seize or cause to be seized, on his property, by the police or the gendarmerie, a non-domestic animal tamed or held in captivity, escaped or that the holder allows to be mistaken. The seized animal is impounded.

The animal is kept at the expense of the owner or keeper.

At the end of a clear period of 8 working days On custody, the animal is considered abandoned if it has not been claimed by its owner from the mayor of the commune where it was seized. The mayor can then hand him over or, after the advice of a veterinarian, have him euthanized.

For the calculation of the free period of 8 working days, the 1^er day, day of arrival of the animal at the pound, is not taken into account. The day after 8^e The working day is also not taken into account.