Highlights: Mongolia’s Animal Welfare Laws
Animal Health Law 2017
Mongolia’s Animal Health Law (2017) establishes the national legal framework for protecting animal health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The law focuses on veterinary governance, disease surveillance, immunization programs, outbreak response, and biosecurity measures across livestock and companion animals.
It supports systems for veterinary oversight, reporting of animal diseases, and coordinated public health measures—recognizing that animal health is closely connected to public health, food safety, and environmental safety.
While the law provides important institutional structure, effective impact depends on consistent implementation, technical capacity, and cooperation between national and local veterinary services. Strengthening public awareness, monitoring systems, and coordinated response mechanisms remains essential for long-term animal welfare and community health outcomes.
Law on Animals 2012
Mongolia’s Law on Animals (2012) provides the national framework for the humane treatment and protection of animals. The law recognizes the importance of responsible animal care and establishes foundational principles related to animal welfare, including prevention of cruelty and improper treatment.
In practice, implementation depends on multi-level coordination across national and local government institutions, as well as veterinary and inspection systems.
While the law sets important legal standards, enforcement effectiveness varies, highlighting the need for stronger monitoring, public awareness, and coordinated institutional accountability.
Law on Hunting 2000
Mongolia’s Law on Hunting (2000) is the country’s foundational legislation regulating the legal hunting, protection, and sustainable use of wildlife.
The law establishes the rules for who can hunt, which animals may be hunted, where and when hunting is allowed, and how government agencies regulate hunting activities through permits, quotas, and enforcement mechanisms.
Purpose of the law
The law was designed to:
prevent uncontrolled hunting and wildlife depletion
protect biodiversity and wildlife populations
regulate hunting as a controlled activity under state oversight
define responsibilities and penalties for illegal hunting
What the law covers
The law regulates:
hunting permits and licensing rules
hunting seasons, restrictions, and designated hunting areas
hunting quotas (limits on numbers and species allowed)
permitted hunting tools and methods (with restrictions)
responsibilities for hunters and authorized entities
penalties for illegal hunting, poaching, and wildlife trafficking-related behavior
Government authority and enforcement
Under this law, hunting is not treated as a private right — it is a regulated activity requiring state approval. Implementation typically involves:
national policy and wildlife management authority
local government participation in enforcement
inspectors or environmental enforcement systems monitoring complian.
Why it matters today
Even though the law is from 2000, it remains important because:
it sets the legal backbone for wildlife protection and hunting controls
it affects enforcement against poaching and illegal wildlife trade
it shapes how Mongolia balances wildlife conservation with regulated use
Pet Law 2023
In December 2023, Mongolia introduced a national legal framework commonly referred to as the Pet Law. This law establishes key principles for the humane treatment and responsible management of companion animals, including responsible ownership, registration, and regulation of breeding practices.
The adoption of this framework reflects Mongolia’s growing commitment to animal welfare and alignment with widely recognized humane standards.
Effective implementation of the law will require practical guidance, public awareness, and coordinated cooperation among relevant institutions, veterinary professionals, local communities, and nonprofit partners.
As with any welfare-focused legislation, meaningful impact depends not only on legal provisions, but also on consistent implementation, accessible services, and community engagement.