The European Union has adopted a new legislative framework establishing harmonised rules for the protection of companion animals across Member States. The measures apply in particular to dogs and cats and are designed to strengthen animal welfare standards, improve traceability, and prevent abusive practices in breeding, trade, and transport.
Under the applicable framework, all dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered in national databases. This requirement applies both to privately owned animals and to those involved in commercial activities, such as breeding, sale, or shelter management. The information must be recorded in interoperable systems to ensure effective cross-border traceability within the European Union.
The legislation also introduces stricter rules on breeding practices, including the prohibition of close inbreeding and the selection of extreme physical traits that may compromise animal health and welfare. In addition, cosmetic or non-therapeutic mutilations are prohibited, as well as the use of certain harmful restraint methods.
Further provisions strengthen the regulatory framework applicable to animals entering the European Union from third countries. In such cases, dogs and cats must be microchipped prior to entry and registered in the relevant official databases, with pre-registration requirements applying in certain circumstances.
Compliance with these rules is intended to ensure a higher level of animal welfare protection, improve traceability, and combat illegal or unregulated trade in companion animals across the European Union.
