Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach apologised yesterday to the public for rushing through a bill ordering the mandatory registration of pets and imposing high fees on the process.
The bill was sponsored by the Department of Livestock Development under the ministry.
"I want to apologise for rushing without giving a prior explanation. The bill was designed to promote responsible ownership and provide better welfare for animals that are abandoned when owners find they are no longer adorable," he said.
He said the ministry would work with the Council of State in revising the bill and avoid placing any burden on the general public.
However, Mr Grisada said he intended to go ahead with the proposed amendments to a law on animal welfare and prevention of animal cruelty, given public feedback.
Even though the bill drew strong objections, critics still supported parts of it in principle, he said, adding changes would be made and stakeholders given a say to ensure it was comprehensive.
"From what I gather, people agree with the bill in principle but they want lower registration fees. I intend to push the draft law forward without delay so it benefits all parties and promotes better animal welfare. I hope it can be passed by the current government," he said.
The bill, which was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, would make pet registration a legal requirement.
Cat and dog owners would be the first to have their pets registered. They would have to pay 450 baht for this or face a fine of 25,000 baht. Of the 450 baht fee, 50 baht is for registration, 100 baht for a pet log book showing, for example, that they have been vaccinated, and 300 baht for identification tags.
He said the proposed registration fee would be dropped from the initial bill, however, as local authorities reevaluate the sum.
A registration fee waiver could also be introduced, with keepers of animals divided into three groups: charities, general pet owners, and commercial breeders.
He said parties concerned would also figure out how many cats and dogs each family or commercial breeder can keep without paying fees.
