June 20, 2025, 2:12 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Calls for a ban on breeding practices that cause suffering in dogs and cats have been around for some time, but it seems these voices are finally being heard. A broad majority in the European Parliament has now voted for stricter animal welfare regulations. What is planned in the new EU animal welfare regulation?
The new vote in the EU Parliament could significantly improve animal welfare in Europe. Stricter regulations are intended to better protect dogs and cats as pets and crack down harder on breeding abuses. In the EU Parliament, 450 out of 750 members voted for the new regulations. However, these were proposed by the EU Commission two years ago. Now, the European Council is expected to work out the details.1
The EU Aims to Regulate Pet Sales More Strictly with New Animal Welfare Rules
The bill passed by the Parliament introduces, for the first time, EU minimum standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of dogs and cats. Additionally, the members demand that all dogs and cats kept in the EU be chipped and centrally registered.2
Furthermore, the trade in animals is to be more strictly regulated. In recent years, sales figures for the so-called puppy mafia, which primarily bred and sold dogs under the worst conditions, have exploded. Those responsible often completely neglected the physical and mental health of the animals–usually to their detriment (PETBOOK reported). “Puppy trade is the largest revenue market after drugs and prostitution,” explained TV host and animal rights activist Jochen Bendel in an interview with PETBOOK. He has been actively fighting against illegal puppy trade for years.
Also of interest: Jochen Bendel: “Illegal puppy trade comes right after prostitution and drugs”
Illegal Puppy Trade Thrives
Authorities are now closing potential loopholes to weaken illegal animal trade and prevent dogs and cats from being imported into and sold within the EU. The illegal trade in animals is thriving.
“One-third of the dogs bought through classified ads die relatively quickly or have such severe subsequent illnesses that they incur very high treatment costs for life. We must bring this to people’s attention so they know what might be behind such ads and who they are dealing with.” Behind all this is a real industry, the animal rights activist knows.
According to estimates, 60 percent of pet owners in the EU buy their pets online annually. Specifically, the sale of dogs and cats generates an annual value of 1.3 billion euros.3
More Data Collection in the Interest of Animal Welfare?
So far, a popular tactic of criminals has been to introduce animals into the EU as non-commercial traders, only to sell them there afterward. Therefore, the import of animals for non-commercial purposes is to be better recorded in the future.
Specifically, this means that pet owners entering the EU with animals must have them microchipped and registered in an online database at least five working days before arrival. The chips are to store information on the animal’s age, gender, and origin. This information is to be stored in a central database managed by the EU.
“A Day That Gives Hope…”
If this law is implemented, all dogs in the EU must receive such a chip within five years. Cats will follow five years later. However, no one has yet been able to answer a big question: How is this regulation to be implemented concerning stray animals? Nevertheless, many people welcome the legislative proposal. “A day that gives hope that the horrific, criminal business with pets will finally be curbed!” commented Dr. Romy Zeller, a specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Association, on the legislative proposal.
“Even though we would have wished for more courage in some areas.” That is the conclusion. But what else is demanded in the legislative proposal? Among other things, the keeping or selling of dogs and cats in pet shops is to be banned. In the future, not only trade but also breeding is to be regulated. So far, minimum standards within the EU have been lacking, which are now to be actively addressed. Accordingly, a ban on breeding defects in dogs and cats is to be introduced. A ban that animal rights activists have long demanded.
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The EU Animal Welfare Regulation Aims to Ban Electric Collars
Specifically, this means breeders are no longer allowed to breed animals with excessive physical traits that pose a high risk to their well-being. This includes, for example, overly flat snouts or too short legs, which can cause health disadvantages for the affected animals.
Additionally, according to the new EU animal welfare regulation, docking, or the shortening of ears or tails, is only allowed if medically necessary and performed under anesthesia. Electric collars and other cruel training and handling methods are also to be banned. Exceptions are provided for the training of police dogs, military dogs, and customs dogs.