10 essential facts about owning a pet in Czechia for International Pet Day 2025

Today, April 11, is International Pet Day—an especially notable day for Czechia, which is a country of animal lovers. In fact, more people per capita own pets than most countries in Europe: 58 percent of adults have a pet, and Czechia is home to over 2.2 million dogs and 1.36 million cats.

With ownership, however, comes careful responsibility. Dog and cat owners in Czechia should take careful note of various things they should and shouldn't—or can and can't—do with their furry friends. From taking your pet to a restaurant, moving into a rented apartment with them, all the way to needing microchips, here are 10 things you should know about owning pets in Czechia.

Czechia has a multitude of animal shelters from which you can adopt. However, plenty of organizations allow you to foster pets if you are unable to adopt them. Cool Critters, for example, uses funds to help feed and care for dogs. Several animal shelters also allow you to take a dog out of a shelter and care for them until an owner decides to adopt them. The animal shelter typically covers all costs for food, supplies, and veterinary care. Several Facebook groups also give you a chance to foster four-legged pets. You can also take dogs out for a walk at some shelters without committing to full-time adoption or care.

​In Czechia, there are no nationwide regulations mandating a complete ban or allowance for pets in establishments like pubs, restaurants, and hotels. Decisions are typically at the discretion of individual business owners, and policies vary. Several popular Prague venues like SmetanaQ, Tvoje máma, and the Happy Bean Bistro allow furry friends; you can also find a list of restaurants and eateries that accept pets at Welovedogs.cz and Rejdilky.cz.

Despite so many people in Czechia owning pets, only about 4 percent of pets are insured. This is low compared to countries like Sweden, where 90 percent of pets are covered. Insurance is available for dogs and cats, which must be identifiable via a chip or tattoo. Annual insurance costs range from CZK 1,500 for a domestic cat to CZK 3,500 for a Labrador. Other pets like guinea pigs and rabbits are not eligible for insurance.

You may bring your pet with you to travel, but rules apply. A small animal must be in a fully enclosed type of animal carrier (like a cage). Dogs can travel without a carrier if they are on a short leash and wearing a muzzle. However, you will need the driver’s permission, and the dog must travel in a special area for pets. Inside Prague, pets can travel for free if you have a valid Prague Integrated Transport ticket for zones 0, P, and B. The only exception is on non-metro trains, where it costs CZK 20 to bring a dog along. You can find more information on the Prague Public Transport company website.

A new EU regulation that will be incorporated into Czech law may soon require cats to have microchips. The petition discussed in the debate calls for a central registry for cats, mandatory microchipping, and compulsory castration of all wild cats, except those on registered farms. The goal is to reduce the overcrowding of cat shelters nationwide. As of 2020, all pet dogs in Czechia need to be microchipped.

There are specific public areas where dogs can—and cannot—run free. Public green spaces like parks, tree-lined streets, and flower beds are defined as places where dogs can either be on a leash or, in some areas, run freely. Signs indicate where dogs can roam off-leash, such as in Riegrovy Sady and Stromovka parks. Dogs are also allowed in fenced playgrounds and agility areas. However, they are prohibited in sports fields, flower beds, and ornamental parks, and must be under control in busy areas.

​In Czechia, landlords cannot legally prevent tenants from having pets in their rented apartments. According to the Czech Civil Code, tenants have the right to keep animals in their apartments, provided that their presence does not cause unreasonable inconvenience to the landlord or other residents. Clauses in rental agreements that prohibit pet ownership are considered invalid and unenforceable. However, real estate firm Engel & Völkers tells Expats.cz that your lease renewal might hang in the balance if your landlord discovers you have a pet without informing them.

The illegal pet trade industry in Czechia is alarming, with over 47 percent of demand to purchase puppies met by unregulated sources. Online marketplaces like Bazos.cz contribute to this problem, with 400-700 new dog ads posted daily. Stray animals also pose health risks, with 30,000 stray cats on the streets in Czechia, according to animal-welfare organization Four Paws.

To tackle this, the EU is considering legislation to ensure that pet sellers undergo a complete verification process. Members of the European Parliament will vote in mid-May on laws to restrict illegal animal trade.

According to current laws, failure to clean up dog excrement can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to CZK 10,000 (though, depending on district, city, or municipality, the punishment usually ranges between CZK 500 and CZK 3,000). However, if you let the matter go to administrative proceedings, the fine can rise to CZK 100,000.

In Czechia, all dog owners are required to register their pets and pay an annual fee. This fee contributes to maintaining public areas and facilities for dogs, such as parks and waste disposal stations. The registration process involves registering the dog with the local municipality (in person or online) and obtaining a dog tag. The annual fee varies depending on the municipality and the type of residence, typically ranging from CZK 200 to CZK 1,500.