http://www.dogandcatwelfare.eu
Executive Summary
The EU Dog & Cat Alliance was established in 2014 and brings together dog and cat welfare organisations from across the EU. The Alliance is calling for EU action to build a better Europe for dogs and cats.
Currently there is no EU legislation protecting cats and dogs in the context of commercial practices, other than rules on transport and health requirements when moved over borders. Legislation to protect the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices is therefore left to EU Member States.
National legislation can vary greatly across the EU, with strict legislation in some countries, and little at all in others. This situation can have serious consequences for animal welfare, but also for animal health, human health, consumer protection and the functioning of the internal market.
To assess the national legislation relating to dogs and cats involved in commercial practices in the EU, the EU Dog & Cat Alliance gathered information on identification and registration, breeding, trade and surgical mutilations from each of the EU’s 28 Member States on the basis of a list of questions. The results are summarised in this report.