In a major step forward for companion animal welfare across Europe, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement that – if formally adopted – will introduce the first-ever EU-wide minimum standards for the care, breeding and traceability of cats and dogs. The agreement is designed to raise welfare standards for cats and dogs kept by breeders, sellers and shelters, while also strengthening consumer protection, promoting fair competition and cracking down on illegal trade.
Curbing the illegal pet trade
For veterinary professionals, this represents a long-awaited effort to harmonise welfare expectations, strengthen consumer protection, and curb the illegal pet trade – all while supporting fair competition among breeders, sellers and shelters. A key element of the agreement is mandatory identification and registration of all cats and dogs, including those already owned. Member states remain free to adopt stricter rules should they wish.
Inbreeding, hybrid breeding and mutilations forbidden
The core welfare protections included in the agreement cover several areas that veterinary teams regularly advocate for:
- Breeding practices are regulated, with limits on breeding frequency and a minimum and maximum breeding ages.
- Inbreeding is prohibited, such as mating between parents and offspring, siblings or half-siblings, and grandparents with grandchildren (except in cases where it is necessary to preserve a local breed with a very limited gene pool).
- Hybrid breeding (crosses with wild species) is banned.
- Painful mutilations such as ear cropping, tail docking and claw removal are prohibited (unless medically indicated).
- Adequate husbandry is mandatory, including access to clean water, appropriate nutrition and suitable housing.
- Daily outdoor access or daily walks are required for dogs over eight weeks of age.
All cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered, extreme breeding banned
The agreement sets clear expectations for those professionally caring for or placing cats and dogs on the market:
- All cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered in a national database before they are sold or donated, with EU-wide interoperability and online access.
- People taking care of cats or dogs have a proper understanding of their behaviour and welfare needs.
- Veterinary visits must be ensured by establishments.
- When selling or donating cats or dogs, the person responsible for the animals has to raise awareness about responsible ownership.
- Abandonment by operators is explicitly prohibited.
- Female cats and dogs with two prior caesarean sections may not be used for further breeding.
- Animals with extreme traits that risk compromising welfare must be excluded from breeding.
- Cats and dogs with extreme conformational traits or mutilations will be barred from competitions, shows and exhibitions.
Rules for imports from outside the EU
To prevent welfare loopholes, imported animals will need to meet the same or equivalent standards. Key measures include:
- Registration of imported cats and dogs in an EU database, with those intended for market placement registered in a national database within five working days.
- Non-commercial movements must be recorded in the EU’s new pet travellers’ database at least five days before arrival.
- This database will help authorities track legitimate movement and flag suspicious activity, strengthening traceability and consumer confidence.
‘A first step’ warmly welcomed by the veterinary profession
‘This is wonderful news! This first-ever EU Regulation on companion animals is an important step in the fight against the illegal trade of cats and dogs and against cruel breeding practices,’ said Volker Moser, UEVP President. ‘Through FVE, UEVP and FECAVA, our profession has been fighting for improved identification and welfare breeding standards of pets for many years.’ The provisional agreement now awaits formal endorsement by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Once adopted, it will enter into force, ushering in a new era of harmonised welfare standards for companion animals across Europe.
(photo ©Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash)