Stray dogs in Morocco: what law 19.25 really changes

What will happen to street dogs? Since summer 2026, Morocco has had a law dedicated to stray animals, law no. 19.25. It creates care centres and bans the killing of sterilised and vaccinated animals… but it also penalises feeding a stray animal in public space. Here is what it really says.

A law in force since August 2026

Law no. 19.25 on the protection and care of stray animals was finally adopted by Parliament in July 2026, promulgated by the dahir of 28 July 2026, then published in Official Bulletin no. 7533 of 10 August 2026. It came into force upon publication. It defines as "stray" any animal present in a public space without the control of its owner or keeper.

Centres to treat, vaccinate and sterilise

The law provides for care centres attached to municipal hygiene offices, under veterinary supervision. They must locate, collect and shelter animals, identify them, assess their health, feed, treat, vaccinate and sterilise them. A national digital database is to track each animal with an identification number. Municipalities may work with associations. In July 2026, the Interior Ministry said one centre was already running in Rabat and that those in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir and Oujda were over 95% complete.

What is prohibited

The law bans the elimination of identified, vaccinated and sterilised animals, following the "capture, sterilise, vaccinate, release" principle. Deliberately killing, torturing or injuring a stray animal (outside euthanasia governed by the law) is punishable by two to six months in prison and a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 DH, according to the press. Causing an animal to stray or abandoning it in public space carries a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 DH.

Can you still feed a street cat or dog?

This is the most debated point. Article 5 forbids taking charge of a stray animal (sheltering, feeding or treating it) outside the conditions set by the law and its implementing texts. Article 44 imposes a fine of 500 to 2,000 DH for doing so in public space: the street, shared residential buildings, places open to the public. Animal welfare associations strongly criticised the measure, notably with a sit-in outside Parliament in Rabat in August 2025. Practical arrangements will depend on the implementing texts, due by 10 August 2028 at the latest.

And for your own pet?

The law also creates obligations for owners: declaring the animal, a health record, reporting a disappearance. An identified dog that has been reported lost is far less likely to be mistaken for a stray. We detail these obligations in our article on the new obligations under law 19.25.

A national issue as 2030 approaches

According to the Interior Ministry, about 240 million dirhams have been spent over five years on managing stray animals, including nearly 40 million a year on rabies vaccines and sera. Four years before the 2030 World Cup, the way the law is applied is also being watched internationally.

Frequently asked questions

Am I allowed to feed the cat in my building?

The common areas of a shared building are among the places covered by the fine. The implementing texts are to set out the framework: check with your municipality or an approved association.

What should I do if I find an injured dog?

Contact the municipal hygiene office, an association or a vet. If there is danger, alert the authorities.

My dog has run away: what should I do?

Report it as soon as possible, with a photo and location, and alert nearby centres and vets.

General information, not legal advice. The law's implementing texts had not yet been published at the time of writing.

Sources: LesEco.ma, Le Matin, Infomédiaire and Radio Star Maroc (August 2026); Le Brief; L'Essentiel; Hespress FR (20 July 2026; 30 August 2025); APA News.