Welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

0102030405

Commission proposal1st reading – European Parliament1st reading – Council of the EUTrilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)Adoption

Adopted. The legislative procedure is complete.

Last active 22 May 2026

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What this bill does

In plain terms: what it changes and who it affects.

This proposal sets EU-wide welfare and traceability rules for dogs and cats bred, kept, sold, adopted, or imported.

Who it affects

It affects dog and cat breeders, pet shops, animal shelters, online sellers, pet buyers and adopters, and importers of dogs and cats into the EU.

Core of the proposal

Sets minimum welfare rules on feeding, housing, health, behaviour, breeding, socialisation, and painful practices.
Requires dogs and cats supplied in the EU to be microchipped and registered in national databases.
Requires online platforms to let suppliers show identification and registration proof for listed animals.
Requires breeding establishments to be approved and imports to meet EU or equivalent welfare conditions.

Key provisions

Takes effect: It enters into force 20 days after Official Journal publication and generally applies two years after entry into force.
Transitional law: Housing, health, breeding-establishment approval, online-platform duties, database interoperability, and import conditions apply after longer three- or five-year periods.

13 Jun 2026

The most recent development in this bill's progress.

1 recent