On October 17, 2023, the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament endorsed a significant legislative proposal aimed at establishing the first EU-wide standards for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.

The new regulations were adopted with broad support, receiving 35 votes in favor, 2 against, and 9 abstentions.

This move comes in response to an increasing demand for pet welfare legislation across the European Union, where approximately 44% of households own pets, and the market for dogs and cats is valued at EUR 1.3 billion annually.

The proposed rules outline compliance expectations for those engaged in the breeding, selling, or housing of dogs and cats, including shelters and foster homes.

However, they explicitly exclude private pet owners from these regulations.

Central to the new legislation is the requirement that all dogs and cats under the care of breeders, sellers, or shelters must be identifiable by microchips, which will be registered in interoperable national databases.

The legislation mandates that identification numbers of microchips and their corresponding database information be compiled in a central index database managed by the European Commission.

To mitigate potential loopholes related to the importation of animals, the new rules will also cover non-commercial movements of pets from third countries.

Dogs and cats entering the EU must be microchipped before entry and their details registered within two working days in national databases.

Pet owners bringing animals into the EU will be required to pre-register their microchip information online at least five working days prior to arrival.

The proposed regulations also address breeding practices, specifically prohibiting mating between close relatives such as parents and offspring or siblings and half-siblings.

It establishes a minimum age of eight weeks for puppies and kittens to remain with their mothers, unless a veterinary exemption is provided.

The rules cap the number of litters per female animal and mandate rest periods between pregnancies to uphold animal welfare.

Additionally, the breeding of pets with extreme physical traits that pose welfare risks will be banned, including the use of such animals in exhibitions, shows, or competitions.

Following the vote, Veronika Vrecionová, Chair of the AGRI Committee, emphasized that the proposal represents a vital step against illegal breeding practices and the improper importation of pets from outside the EU while fostering an environment supportive of responsible ownership and breeding.

The legislation now awaits a vote from the plenary of the European Parliament.

If passed, discussions with EU member states can commence to finalize the rules.

This legislative effort coincides with ongoing enforcement actions against illegal breeding across the EU. Recently, a breeder in Beringen, Belgium, was sentenced to one year in prison and fined EUR 60,000 for severe neglect of animals and maintaining unsanitary conditions, highlighting the urgency of effective regulation in the pet breeding industry.

Simultaneously, local authorities in Grimbergen, Belgium, are advocating for residents to verify the accuracy of their pets’ microchip data.

Problems associated with incorrect or outdated microchip details can complicate efforts to reunite lost animals with their owners, often resulting in pets entering shelters.

By encouraging pet owners to check and update their microchip information, officials aim to prevent an increase in the number of animals in shelters, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership policies.