In 2023 Montenegro gained rabies-free status under the criteria of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the disease was last recorded in 2012. Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats older than three months is a legal obligation for owners, abandoning an animal is prohibited, and the collection of abandoned dogs is organised and funded by municipalities. If a dog bites you, wash the wound with water and soap for at least 15 minutes straight away and see a doctor. Since 2026 Podgorica has applied a new decision: dogs on public land must be on a leash, and until 2030 dogs and cats may only be bred by registered breeders.
The rules come from the Animal Welfare Protection Law, the rabies control regulations and municipal decisions on keeping pets. This guide explains the rabies situation, what to do after a bite, stray dogs and shelters, owners' obligations and fines, and the new rules in Podgorica.
Is there rabies in Montenegro?
- In 2023 Montenegro gained rabies-free status under WOAH criteria, and the disease was last recorded in 2012.
- Since 2011, with EU support, foxes and other wild animals across the whole country have been vaccinated orally with baits dropped from the air.
- Rabies vaccination is compulsory for all dogs and cats older than three months, and it is also a precondition for the titre test some countries require.
- Montenegro is waiting for European Commission approval to be listed among the countries from which non-commercial movement of pets into the EU is allowed.
What should you do if a dog bites you?
- Wash the wound straight away with water and soap for at least 15 minutes; this is the first step the World Health Organization recommends.
- See a doctor or call the emergency medical service on 124; the doctor assesses whether you need protection against rabies and tetanus.
- If the dog has an owner, ask the owner for their details and the rabies vaccination certificate, because vaccination is a legal obligation.
- If the dog is a stray, inform the shelter or the municipal service, because the municipality organises and funds the collection of abandoned animals.
Who looks after stray dogs?
- Municipalities organise and fund the collection of abandoned and lost animals, and shelters take reports, take in the animals and provide veterinary care.
- Anyone who finds an abandoned or lost dog must inform the shelter, and the owner of a lost dog must report it missing.
- If the owner does not claim the dog within 15 days, it can be rehomed, and the owner pays the shelter costs if identified.
- Each municipality sets the conditions for keeping pets and for handling abandoned animals in its own decision.
What must a dog owner do by law?
| Obligation | Rule |
| Rabies vaccination | Compulsory for dogs and cats older than three months |
| Abandoning an animal | Prohibited |
| A missing dog | Reported to the shelter for abandoned animals |
| Dangerous dog in a public place | Only on a leash and under the keeper's constant supervision |
| People under 16 | May not walk dangerous dogs in public places |
| Fine for an individual | €60 to €3,000 |
What has Podgorica required since 2026?
- The decision adopted by the Capital City Assembly in February 2026 requires dogs on public land to be on a leash and owners to clean up after their pets at once, carrying cleaning equipment.
- A pet is microchipped by an authorised veterinary clinic between the third and sixth month of age, and vaccination is checked against the records.
- A dangerous dog may only be walked with a muzzle and on a leash of up to 1.5 metres.
- Until 2030 dogs and cats may only be bred by a keeper with a registered breeding kennel, and the city subsidises 50% of the cost of spaying and neutering.
- Fines for individuals range from €150 to €1,000 for more serious breaches, according to the city inspectorate's reports.
How to enter and leave Montenegro with a dog is explained in our guide to travelling with a dog or cat, emergency numbers and hospitals in our guide to emergency numbers, and finding a flat where pets are allowed in our guide to long-term rentals.
Frequently asked questions
Is there rabies in Montenegro? Montenegro has been rabies free under WOAH criteria since 2023, and the disease was last recorded in 2012.
How should you behave around stray dogs? Do not approach stray dogs while they are eating, sleeping or guarding puppies, and report abandoned dogs to the shelter or the municipality, which must organise their collection.
What should I do if a dog bites me? Wash the wound with water and soap for at least 15 minutes and see a doctor, who decides on protection against rabies and tetanus.
Is rabies vaccination compulsory for dogs? Yes, for all dogs and cats older than three months.
Is microchipping compulsory? Yes; in Podgorica a dog is microchipped between the third and sixth month of age at an authorised veterinary clinic.
What is the fine for walking a dog without a leash in Podgorica? The city inspectorate cites fines of €150 to €1,000 for more serious breaches of the decision on keeping pets.
Sources
Rabies status and compulsory vaccination are published by the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Administration, and owners' obligations, shelters and fines are set by the Animal Welfare Protection Law (Official Gazette 14/2008 and 47/2015, Articles 8, 25 to 29 and 51). First aid after a bite is recommended by the World Health Organization, and Podgorica's rules are described by RTCG and Moj portal. The information was checked on 26 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this article is not legal or medical advice.