A new analysis by the German Animal Welfare Federation shows: The illegal trade in pets, especially puppies, is at a consistently high level. A ban on the online trade in animals is urgently needed; at the very least, comprehensive legal regulation is required. However, the recently published coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD remains vague when it comes to the pet trade and does not suggest any improvements, criticizes the German Animal Welfare Federation.
The German Animal Welfare Federation documented 224 cases of illegal pet trade in 2024. At least 991 animals were affected, including 515 dogs and 66 cats. The majority were pedigree animals, such as Miniature Spitz, Maltese, French Bulldogs, British Shorthairs or Scottish Folds. The animals were mostly too young and showed clear signs of illness, which in almost all cases led to confiscation by the authorities. Romania was the most common country of origin for the ninth year in a row.
"Germany has played a key role in the illegal pet trade for years and is often the country of destination for the many puppies, but also cats and exotic wild animals with which traders make lucrative deals here. The animals are usually offered for sale online," explains Dr. Romy Zeller, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Association. The suffering for the individual animals is immense and the conditions under which breeders breed the animals abroad are catastrophic. German animal shelters, which take in the mostly sick animals from confiscations, are faced with avoidable burdens due to the time-consuming and cost-intensive care they are forced to provide.
In their coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD promise to ban the anonymous online trade in pets and companion animals. "If sellers only have to provide a name and address, this plan is worthless, as most platforms already require this anyway. What is needed is secure proof of identity so that sellers can be traced. In addition, dogs and cats offered for sale should have to be microchipped and registered," demands Zeller. The new coalition also wants to ban trading in public spaces, but explicitly excludes pet fairs and markets, although animals are often offered for sale illegally at such events.
It also remains unclear whether a ban would include exotic wild animals such as reptiles, which are often kept as pets. “In order to really protect all animals, the CDU/CSU and SPD must clarify their plans and ban the online trade in animals - whether commercial or private - without exceptions or at least regulate it comprehensively,” says Zeller. The German Animal Welfare Federation is calling for stricter, legally binding regulations for animal exchanges and markets.
Note to editors: The document “Illegal pet trade and its impact on German animal shelters - evaluation of known cases from 2024” by the German Animal Welfare Federation can be downloaded here. Further information: www.tierschutzbund.de/tiere-themen/illegaler-welpenhandel
