According to data compiled by the Rural Support Service (SPS), at the end of January, there were 290,526 registered pets in Latvia — 232,742 dogs, 57,485 cats, and 299 ferrets.
The most pets — 80,010 — are registered in Riga. Next are Daugavpils with 11,177 registered pets and Ogre Municipality with 10,664 animals.
The fewest pets are registered in Valkas Municipality — at the end of January, there were only 1,003 registered animals.
The marking of dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets with a microchip, the issuance of a pet passport, and the initial registration in the database are carried out by a practicing veterinarian.
Starting from January 1, 2025, when initially registering puppies, kittens, and baby ferrets, the microchip number of their mother must be indicated.
From the same date, the breeding of dogs, cats, and domestic (house) ferrets must be registered in the SPS database after each birth of offspring, indicating the date of birth and the number of offspring in the litter.
A sterilized cat over six months old, marked with a microchip, has the right to be outside the owner's territory freely. In turn, a non-sterilized cat may be outside the owner's territory if it is wearing the appropriate collar or harness, if it is being led on a leash, or if it is in a bag, container, or cage intended for transport.
