EU Parliament Votes in Favour of Stronger Protection for Dogs, Cats, and Companion Animals

vuciwebsite
Jun 20
3 min read

In a significant move, the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of a long-awaited regulation to enhance the welfare, traceability, and protection of dogs and cats – as well as laying the groundwork for broader protections for other companion animals.

The vote comes after years of campaigning by animal welfare organisations, NGOs, and citizens across Europe who have consistently demanded stronger laws to curb abuse, overbreeding, and illegal trading of companion animals.

🐾 Key Features of the Regulation

The regulation approved by the EP includes several groundbreaking measures:

Minimum Welfare Standards for All Breeders - For the first time, all breeders, regardless of size, will be required to meet basic standards for the care of animals in their custody. This includes ensuring proper feeding, adequate space, socialisation, regular veterinary care, and protection from neglect or abuse. This move will finally crack down on backyard breeding and inhumane puppy and kitten mills that operate without oversight.

Mandatory Identification and Registration (I&R)- A major loophole has been closed. All dogs and cats – not just those placed on the market – will now be subject to mandatory identification and registration. This system will make it significantly harder for illegal breeders and traders to operate under the radar, providing full traceability of animals throughout their lives.
Ban on the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops - In a bold and welcome move, MEPs voted in favour of banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. This tackles the problem of impulse purchases, often linked to poor welfare conditions and irresponsible breeding. By removing animals from storefronts, the regulation promotes more ethical avenues for adoption and acquisition, such as reputable rescues or licensed breeders with transparent practices.
Introduction of a Positive List for Companion Animals - The EP also expressed support for a Positive List, which defines which animal species can legally be kept as pets. This approach ensures that only animals whose needs can be met in a domestic setting are allowed in private homes. It’s a science-based, preventive approach to avoid both animal suffering and risks to public health and biodiversity.

🙌 Thank You to Everyone Who Took Action

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Eurogroup for Animals and FOUR PAWS, whose continuous advocacy, lobbying, and research helped shape this important legislation. Their work—alongside that of many other dedicated groups—has paved the way for a safer, more humane future for animals across the EU.

We are also immensely grateful to all of you who supported the campaign:

Those who emailed MEPs directly to demand better protections
Those who shared awareness posts, signed petitions, and amplified the message
And those who continue to stand up for animals every single day

Your voices have been heard. This is your victory too.

What This Means for Malta

The inclusion of the Positive List is especially important for Malta. For months, we have been advocating for its introduction locally, to stop the unchecked importation and ownership of exotic or inappropriate animals as pets. This EU-level support gives Malta a stronger framework—and stronger political will—to move forward.

Furthermore, the mandatory identification and breeder standards are crucial for addressing Malta’s ongoing issues with overbreeding, illegal pet sales, and animal welfare breaches.

🗳️ We’re Watching – And We’ll Be Reporting Back

We will be closely monitoring how Maltese MEPs voted on this regulation, and we will publish a breakdown soon. Transparency and accountability matter—especially when it comes to animals who cannot vote or speak for themselves.

💬 Final Thoughts

This is a major step in the right direction, but the fight for animal rights is far from over. As the regulation now heads into trialogue negotiations with the Council of the EU and the European Commission, we urge decision-makers to further strengthen the identification and registration system and ensure that online sales are properly regulated, closing every remaining loophole.

Let’s continue to push forward—for the animals, not the abusers or exploiters.

Stay tuned. Stay loud. Stay on their side.