Animal welfare organisations FOUR PAWS and Eurogroup for Animals applaud MEPs for supporting three key pillars of the proposal: minimum standards for all breeders, improved traceability of dogs and cats, and the introduction of a Positive List.  

“This vote marks real progress for animal welfare in the EU,” said Georgia Diamantopoulou, Head of the European Policy Office at FOUR PAWS. “Every dog and cat deserves protection, no matter the size of the breeder.” 

Welfare standards for all breeders 

The EP's approval of minimum welfare requirements for all breeders is a breakthrough for animal protection. Basic standards—such as proper feeding, veterinary care, and protection from abuse—would now apply to all dog and cat breeders, closing the door on unregulated backyard breeding and abusive puppy and kitten mills. 

"We can finally speak of an attempt for a fully regulated pet trade. For far too long, animals were bred and kept in poor conditions in a multi-million-euro industry that received little attention," commented Iwona Mertin, Companion Animals Programme Leader at Eurogroup for Animals. 

A bold step against the illegal pet trade  

The EP has also taken a strong stance against the illegal pet trade by supporting full identification and registration for all kept dogs and cats — not just those placed on the market. This long-overdue measure would make it significantly harder for illegal breeders to operate under the radar, as every animal would now need to be traceable. "This finally closes the loophole for illegal breeders," commented Diamantopoulou.  

Online sales: still a work in progress 

MEPs voted against integrating the online registration verification systems that the European Commission (EC) plans to develop. This would have ensured that only animals that have been verifiably identified and registered could be advertised online. However, consumers would still have the option to use the system themselves to verify the registration of the advertised animal they are interested in. 

EP pushes to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops 

In a landmark decision, the EP voted in favour of banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. This closes off a major channel for impulse purchases and irresponsible breeding, often linked to poor welfare conditions. By removing animals from storefronts, the regulation prioritises more transparent and ethical avenues for adoption or acquisition. 

Future protection for other companion animals  

The EP also recognised the need to extend protection to other companion animals, beyond just dogs and cats. 

"The European Parliament has made future protection for wild animals kept as pets a reality. By including a pathway for a Positive List in the dogs and cats proposal, it aims to ensure that only species assessed as suitable can be kept and sold as pets. This marks a new era of responsible pet ownership and real action on long-standing calls," commented Nick Clark, Wild Animals Programme Leader at Eurogroup for Animals. 

FOUR PAWS and Eurogroup for Animals are now calling on the European Parliament to defend its provisions on identification and registration (I&R) during the upcoming trilogue negotiations and to work together with the Council to ensure that basic welfare standards apply to all breeders—a requirement they equally agreed upon. The institutions should, together with the Commission, ensure the swift adoption of the final regulation. 

ENDS