The European Parliament has approved the first common rules across the European Union to regulate the breeding, housing, traceability, import, and handling of cats and dogs. The vote, which took place in Strasbourg, resulted in 558 votes in favor, 35 against, and 52 abstentions —broad support reflecting growing public concern for animal welfare. The regulations, which have already been agreed upon with the European Council, now require formal approval from the member states to enter into force.
This is a legislative milestone affecting a market worth around €1.300 billion annually in the EU, where 44% of citizens live with a pet and 74% believe their welfare should be better protected. According to Commission data, approximately 60% of owners acquire dogs or cats online, a channel that until now has escaped uniform controls. The new regulation aims to curb the illegal trade and the abusive breeding practices that have proliferated in recent years.
Microchip and mandatory traceability
One of the cornerstones of the regulation is the mandatory identification of all cats and dogs residing in the EU, including those living in private homes. Each animal must be microchipped and registered in national databases that are interoperable across countries. This measure will allow the origin of each pet to be traced from birth to adoption or sale , making animal abandonment and fraudulent transactions more difficult.
For sellers, breeders, and shelters, the adaptation period will be four years from the date the law comes into effect. However, private owners who do not sell animals will have a longer period: ten years for dogs and fifteen for cats . The bill's sponsor, Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, Czech Republic), stated that "a pet is a member of the family, not an object or a toy," and emphasized that these regulations will help combat those who seek quick profits at the expense of animals.
Limits on breeding and prohibitions
The regulations introduce severe restrictions on breeding to prevent hereditary health problems. Breeding between parents and offspring, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as between siblings and half-siblings, is prohibited. Breeding cats and dogs with exaggerated or extreme physical traits that pose significant risks to their well-being is also banned , similar to cases where breeds are prohibited for health reasons , as is the case with some brachycephalic breeds.
Furthermore, minimum breeding ages are established: female cats may not be used before ten months of age, while female dogs must have completed at least their second heat cycle. The number of litters is limited to a maximum of three in a two-year period, after which the female must have a one-year rest period. Puppies may not be separated from their mother before eight weeks of age, and kittens, in the case of catteries, must remain with her for at least twelve weeks.
Mutilations for aesthetic or competitive purposes, such as ear cropping, tail docking, or declawing, are also prohibited unless there is a veterinary justification. Animals with extreme malformations or that have been mutilated will be excluded from shows, competitions, and exhibitions . Furthermore, tethering a dog or cat to an object continuously is prohibited, except for medical reasons, as is the use of prong or choke collars without safety mechanisms.
Imports and online sales
To close the loopholes that allowed animals to be brought into the EU as non-commercial pets and then sold, the new legislation covers both imports for commercial purposes and non-commercial movements. Cats and dogs from third countries must be microchipped before entering the Union and subsequently registered in a national database. Owners traveling with their pets for non-sales purposes will be required to pre-register the animal at least five working days before arrival, unless it is already registered in an EU country.
Breeders from outside the EU who wish to export to the European market will have to comply with the same welfare and breeding standards as EU breeders. The European Commission will draw up a list of authorized countries, and each establishment will have to be inspected and approved. Furthermore, online sales platforms will have to verify the identity and registration of advertised animals using new digital validation systems—a key measure to curb the illegal trade in puppies.
Adaptation timelines and next steps
Although the European Parliament's approval represents a decisive step forward, the legislation will not come into force immediately. The EU Council must formally adopt the text, and only then will the adaptation period begin. Professional establishments will have four years to comply with all the requirements, while private individuals will have up to ten years for dogs and fifteen for cats. During this time, Member States are expected to adapt their national animal welfare regulations and implement interoperable databases.
The regulation also requires that at least one person in every shop, breeder, or shelter receive specific training on the care of cats and dogs. New owners must receive comprehensive information on responsible pet ownership, including identification and welfare obligations. All of this aims to ensure a level playing field for honest breeders and provide consistent protection for animals throughout the European Union.
With these measures, the European Union is taking a firm step towards a more respectful model of coexistence with companion animals. Mandatory traceability, restrictions on abusive breeding practices, and import controls form a package that, according to its proponents, will reduce the suffering of thousands of cats and dogs each year. Now, only the Council's final approval is needed for the regulations to become law.
