This Act provides rules for the protection of the health and welfare of animals, but also concerns animal products and animal reproduction. The Act consists of 135 articles divided into 11 Chapters: General provisions (I); Care for the health of animals (II); Care for the well-being of animals (III); Biotechnology (IV); Rules relative to aggressive animals (V); Rules with respect to the breeding of animals (VI); The exportation of animals or products of animal origin (VII); Financial provisions (VIII); Further provisions (IX); Control and enforcement (X); Final provisions (XI).
The objects of this Act are: to protect all animals other than wild animals, for ethical reasons; to protect human beings during treatment, pure breeding and exportation of animals. Chapter II is divided into the following sub-chapters: General provisions; prevention of infectious diseases; combating infectious diseases. Chapter III is divided into the following sub-chapters: General provisions; physical interventions on animals; killing of animals; keeping of animals; breeding of animals; sale, lease or delivery of animals; transportation of animals; use of animals for competitions; further provisions. Chapter VI introduces the requirement for permits for biotechnological treatment of animals. Article 36, which establishes general principles of proper treatment of animals, applies to all animals including livestock and pets.