Paws for Applause: Renew Europe welcomes strides forward on EU-wide cat and dog welfare rules

Renew Europe MEPs gave their approval during a vote today in the European Parliament on the EU’s first legislation dedicated to the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs.

The trade in dogs and cats within the European Union has grown considerably in recent years, with an annual value of EUR 1.3 billion. Meanwhile rules at national level differ, leaving room to illicit trade and animal abuse.

The draft regulation, followed by Renew Europe’s Michal Wiezik as shadow rapporteur, aims to crack down on the shady trade in companion animals by introducing mandatory identification via microchip and registration in national databases, and new minimum welfare standards for breeders, sellers, shelters and foster homes.

MEP Michal Wiezik (Progresívne Slovensko/Slovakia) said: "We are working towards EU standards that will protect the welfare of our most beloved animals and restore citizens’ trust in the pet market. It is our duty to put in place minimum standards to improve animal welfare and make it as difficult as possible for abuse to occur, while better protecting the rights of consumers. Citizens expect the EU to bite down on illegal trade and trace every tail, and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered today."

As the legislative process moves forward, Renew Europe will continue to push for tight legislation to help end the wild west of online pet sales, and to ensure traceability not only for pets on the market but for all cats and dogs within the EU. Today, Renew Europe devised much needed help for shelters and organisations responsible for stray animals and paved the way for a future ‘Positive List’ to limit pet species allowed in the EU, while allowing for targeted exemptions for police, military and service dogs.

With over 60% of all cat and dog sales now taking place online and many from dubious sources, this regulation brings much-needed order to a market long plagued by abuse and neglect.

“Europe’s pet policy is finally getting its claws into the problem,” Wiezik added.