19/06/2025
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES DRAFT LAW ON THE WELFARE OF CATS AND DOGS
The European Parliament (EP) approved this Thursday 19th June 2025 a proposal that establishes the first European Union (EU) standards for the welfare, breeding, accommodation and traceability of dogs and cats.
The draft law approved by Parliament on Thursday lays down the first ever minimum EU standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of cats and dogs.
In a report approved with 457 votes in favour, 17 against and 86 abstentions, MEPs advocate the mandatory use of microchips and registration of all dogs and cats in the EU and the ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, the registration of these animals imported for commercial and non-commercial purposes .
According to data from Brussels, with 44% of EU citizens owning a pet, the trade in dogs and cats has increased considerably in recent years and amounts to 1.3 billion euros per year.
Around 60% of owners bought their animals on the online market.
In the absence of unified minimum welfare standards for dogs and cats in all Member States, the Commission proposed these new rules on 7 December 2023.
The EP and the Council of the EU are co-legislators on this matter.
MEPs will now enter into negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law.
COMMENT
A major step forward getting the agreement of member states to the wording of this much need draft law.
Photo: Chewy/Unsplash
More details: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250616IPR28963/meps-propose-stricter-rules-on-dog-and-cat-welfare-and-traceability
