European Parliament Delivers for Dogs and Cats
An update on the sucess of last week’s EU vote
In a landmark vote on 19 June 2025, the European Parliament (EP) approved significant enhancements to the proposed regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.
This is in no small part thanks to our amazing supporters, who sent over 70,000 emails to MEPs calling for strong animal protection in EU law.
FOUR PAWS applauds MEPs and thanks its supporters for backing key pillars to the proposal:
- Minimum mandatory standards for all breeders, regardless of the size of their activity
- Improved traceability: Mandatory identification and registration (I&R) of privately owned dogs and cats, as well as dogs and cats used as breeding animals, of dogs and cats bred to be sold or given away for free, and dogs and cats in shelters
- A ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops
The creation of a system (software) by the European Commission that uses animal databases and allows consumers to verify that the animals they are interested in are registered to their advertiser in the online trade
- Prohibition of euthanasia in shelters as a population management solution
- The introduction of a Positive List of animals that can be kept as pets
This vote marks real progress for animal welfare in the EU. Every dog and cat deserves protection, no matter the size of the breeder.
What Do These Changes Actually Mean?
Minimum Welfare Standards for all Breeders
The EP's approval of minimum welfare requirements for all breeders is a breakthrough for animal protection. Basic standards, such as proper feeding, veterinary care, and protection against abuse, adverse weather, inbreeding, chaining etc. would apply to all dog and cat breeders, closing the door to unacceptable practices, unregulated backyard breeding and abusive puppy and kitten mills.
Improved traceability of dogs and cats
The EP has also taken a strong stance against the illegal pet trade by supporting full identification and registration for all kept dogs and cats, not just those placed on the market. This long-overdue measure would make it significantly harder for illegal breeders to operate under the radar, as animals would now need to be traceable. No animal could be placed on the market unregistered. This finally closes the loophole exploited by illegal breeders.
Online sales: still a work in progress
MEPs voted against integrating to platforms hosting animal ads, the online registration verification systems that the European Commission (EC) plans to develop. This would have ensured that only animals that have been verifiably identified and registered could be advertised online. However, consumers would still have the option to use the system themselves to verify the registration of the advertised animal they are interested in against animal registration databases.
EP pushed to ban the keeping and sale of dogs and cats in pet shops
In a landmark decision, the EP voted in favour of banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. This closes off a major channel for impulse purchases and irresponsible breeding, often linked to poor welfare conditions. By removing animals from storefronts, the regulation prioritises more transparent and ethical avenues for adoption or acquisition.
Prohibition of euthanasia in shelters as a population management solution
The MEPs supported measures that would assist in the rehoming work and promote the responsible acquisition of pets.
The significance of this Plenary vote cannot be overstated. It will see significant protections for dogs, cats and other companion animals across the Union, improving animal welfare standards and accountability for owners and authorities. Ultimately, it will also make the illegal puppy trade significantly more challenging.
There is still a long way to go to make sure these proposed protections for animals come into force properly. But make no mistake, the outcome of last week’s vote is a major milestone in itself! A heartfelt 'thank you' to all who supported FOUR PAWS’ work to bring legislation into being.
