The European Parliament supported the first pan-European rules for the protection of pets. If they are finally approved, owners, breeders, and sellers will have to adapt to new requirements—from mandatory registration to a ban on certain breeding methods.
The European Parliament has approved a bill on unified standards for the protection of cats and dogs in the EU. The document was supported by 558 deputies, opposed by 35, and 52 abstained. This concerns the first rules regulating the breeding, keeping, sale, and import of pets at the union level.
The main innovation is the mandatory microchipping and registration of all cats and dogs in national databases. These databases must be compatible with each other so that animals can be tracked when moving within the EU. Businesses—breeders, sellers, and shelters—will be given four years to prepare. Private owners will have more time: up to 10 years for dogs and up to 15 years for cats.
The document also introduces strict restrictions on breeding. It is prohibited to breed animals with extreme traits that may harm their health, as well as inbreeding—such as between parents and offspring or between siblings. The practice of inflicting injuries for the sake of exhibitions or competitions is also banned.
The treatment of animals is regulated separately: the use of spiked collars or tightening collars without a safety mechanism is prohibited, as well as tying up animals—except in cases of treatment.
The rules for importation will also change. Cats and dogs imported into the EU for sale must be chipped and registered in advance. Owners entering the EU with pets must enter their information into the database no later than five working days before arrival if the animal is not already registered in one of the member states.
According to the European Parliament, nearly half of EU residents have pets, and three-quarters believe that their protection needs to be strengthened. Meanwhile, the market for trading cats and dogs is estimated at around 1.3 billion euros per year—and it is this market that they want to make more transparent and controlled.
The bill has already been agreed upon with the Council of the EU, but it still needs to be formally approved by them.
If the document comes into force, the rules for keeping and selling pets in the EU will become unified and stricter.
