On 30 April, a historic cooperation agreement was signed on the identification of companion animals in Albania, by Ervin Resuli, president of the Albanian Veterinary Chamber (UPMVSH), at right, and Sulejman Kullolli, general director of the Albanian Authority for Veterinary Inspections and Plant Protection (AKVMB). Purpose of the agreement is to establish a sustainable system for the supply, distribution, and traceability of microchips and passports for companion animals, and to create a National Registry for the identification of pets.
Vets to play a ‘key role’
The Veterinary Chamber will play a key role in the implementation of the I&R system, through the authorisation, training and oversight of licensed veterinarians and practices allowed to microchip and issue pet passports, in accordance with ISO standards and European Union directives. The act of chipping and registering is exclusively reserved to (authorised) veterinarians. ‘This is a concrete achievement in strengthening the role of the veterinary profession in society and in fulfilling modern standards for animal welfare and public safety,’ stressed Ervin Resuli.
Improved traceability
Mr Kullolli added that the agreement ‘not only improves traceability and the health and welfare of companion animals, but it also helps minimize public health risks by supporting the control of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, leishmaniasis, echinococcosis and toxoplasmosis.’ Finally, it ‘marks an important step toward aligning Albanian standards with European Union legislation.’
The UPMVSH is full member of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners since November 2025.
Caption: Sulejman Kullolli (AKVMB, at left) and Ervin Resuli (UPMVSH) after signing the agreement on the identification of companion animals in Albania. (Photo Gloria Hylviu)