The EU wants to improve the protection of dogs and cats. Dr. Romy Zeller, specialist advisor for pets at the German Animal Welfare Association, described the draft regulation—the so-called Cats & Dogs Proposal—as an “opportunity to significantly strengthen animal welfare in Europe” when asked by the German Press Agency (dpa). At the same time, however, the association also expressed criticism—in particular because the draft allows for too many exceptions. Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states agreed yesterday in the so-called trilogue that uniform EU-wide requirements for the protection and traceability of dogs and cats should be created.
“The fact that all dogs and cats kept in the EU will in future have to be identified by a microchip transponder and registered in a pet registry is a decisive step toward effectively curbing illegal animal trade and strengthening animal protection in the long term,” says Zeller. Abandoning animals would become much more difficult. The comprehensive identification and registration requirement would also ensure that lost animals could be returned to their owners more quickly. “All of this would also relieve the burden on animal shelters in the long term,” says Zeller.
The fact that, for the first time, there are to be EU-wide guidelines for breeding animals with traits that cause suffering, and that cats and dogs may only be used for breeding from a certain age, gives the German Animal Welfare Association hope for positive change. However, the association is critical of the fact that large parts of the EU regulation only apply to breeders and dealers with a certain number of animals and litters. Many unscrupulous breeders could thus continue to operate under the radar. Loopholes remain for illegal traders. Animal welfare activists also criticize the fact that the requirements are not to apply to service dogs or dogs and cats on farms. “These exceptions are regrettable. All dogs and cats have a right to protection,” comments Zeller.
