The European Commission is committed to ensuring high standards of welfare for dogs and cats across the EU.
As demand for these companion animals grows—especially through online trade—the Commission aims to harmonise welfare rules, improve traceability and combat illegal practices.
The goal is to ensure that all dogs and cats bred, sold or adopted in the EU are treated humanely and responsibly, and that prospective owners can be confident of the origin, welfare and health of their future pets.
2026 – New EU rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats
The European Parliament and the Council have adopted new EU rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 introduces common minimum requirements for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats across the EU. The rules cover the breeding, keeping and placing of dogs and cats on the EU market, as well as their identification and registration.
The Regulation also strengthens consumer protection and helps tackle illegal trade and fraudulent practices, including through requirements for online advertisements. It also sets welfare and traceability requirements for dogs and cats entering the EU from third countries.
The new rules will apply from 31 August 2028, with some provisions applying at later dates.
2025 - Provisional agreement on new rules for dogs and cats
The European Parliament and Council of the EU have reached an agreement on the first-ever EU legislation on the welfare of dogs and cats, following the proposal made by the Commission in 2023.
The agreement paved the way for the adoption of the new EU rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.
Commission welcomes provisional agreement on new rules to improve welfare of dogs and cats
Questions and Answers: Agreement on new rules for the welfare of dogs and cats
2023 – Legislative proposal for EU-wide standards
The Commission proposed new rules – based on scientific evidence, stakeholder consultations and public feedback – that would:
- set minimum standards for housing, care, and handling in breeding establishments, pet shops, and shelters
- introduce strict traceability requirements, especially for online sales
- require training for animal handlers and inform buyers about responsible ownership
- ensure that imports meet equivalent welfare standards.
More information
- Proposal for new rules on welfare and traceability of dogs & cats (2023)
- Dog and cat welfare & traceability – evidence supporting the legislative proposal (2024)
- Welfare of dogs & cats (factsheet 2023)
- Welfare of dogs & cats (Q & A 2023)
Sources
- Housing & health of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments – welfare aspects (EFSA, 2023)
- EU animal-welfare legislation – recommendations from voluntary initiatives
Public feedback
2022–2023 – Coordinated action against illegal trade
The Commission led an EU-wide enforcement campaign to detect and prevent illegal trade in dogs and cats. This included identifying forged documents, fraudulent online listings and disguised commercial movements. The action resulted in hundreds of alerts and several judicial proceedings across Member States.
2018 – Control plan on online sales
An earlier coordinated control plan focused on monitoring online platforms selling dogs and cats, revealing widespread issues with traceability and compliance.