The European Union recently approved legislation to increase the welfare and traceability of millions of dogs and cats across the continent. Dogs and cats throughout the EU will soon share the same basic care standards. Better record requirements will make it easier to see where each animal came from and halt illegal sales.
The new rules cover all dogs and cats, whether they are in a private home, a shelter, a foster home, or sold by a business. Animals imported into the EU are included, too.
“Today’s adoption sends a clear message: animal welfare matters in Europe,” said Maria Panayiotou, Cyprus’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. “With these new rules, we are protecting millions of cats and dogs.”
The biggest changes are the everyday things that can make life gentler and healthier. Dogs and cats must have proper hydration and nutrition, a safe and clean place to rest, room to move, veterinary care, and chances to behave naturally. Someone must also check on every animal each day, looking for any sign that they are uncomfortable, unwell, or need help.
Harmful business practices are set to be curtailed, including breeding close relatives and dogs or cats with extreme physical traits that endanger their health. Online sellers must also be verified.
Microchips will be required for all dogs and cats, then added to interconnected national databases. These shared records will make it easier to check where animals came from and harder for illegal sellers to hide.
The first changes are set to take effect on August 31, 2028, with others phasing in over the course of a few years. Countries, shelters, and businesses will have time to prepare, while microchip and registration requirements follow in stages.
For Europe’s dogs and cats, this is a hopeful start. The rules create a shared minimum, and every EU country is still free to give animals even stronger protection.
For a closer look at why these safeguards are important, read Lady Freethinker’s investigation into unregulated puppy mill operations in Indonesia.
