The European Union has adopted a regulation introducing common requirements for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats across all EU Member States. The regulation aims to improve animal protection, strengthen identification and registration, and reduce the risks of illegal trade and uncontrolled breeding. The requirements will apply to breeders, sellers and animal shelters.
The regulation sets requirements for the keeping, care, housing, breeding and sale of dogs and cats. Particular attention is given to animal traceability – all dogs and cats in the EU will have to be microchipped and registered in interoperable national databases.
Sellers, breeders and shelters will have a four-year transition period to implement these requirements. For owners who do not sell or otherwise transfer ownership of their pets, the identification and registration requirements will take effect after 10 years for dogs and after 15 years for cats.
Dogs and cats imported into the EU from third countries for sale will have to be microchipped and registered in a database before entering the EU. Imported animals will also have to meet welfare and traceability requirements equivalent to those applicable in the EU. This will make it easier to identify an animal’s origin and movement history and help combat illegal trade.
The regulation also introduces requirements for breeding dogs and cats. The European Commission will be empowered to specify characteristics that prevent animals from being used for breeding where this could harm their health or welfare. Mating between closely related dogs and cats will also be prohibited.
Tethering animals will be prohibited except where necessary for medical purposes. The use of prong collars, choke collars and other equipment or methods that cause pain will also be banned.
Publication of the regulation in the Official Journal marks the beginning of the next stage of its implementation. The new rules will establish a common approach to the traceability and protection of dogs and cats across the EU and promote responsible pet ownership.