The EU law, which aims to establish a minimum common standard for raising cats and dogs on the block, leaves loopholes in online transactions and continues the continued use of so-called “puppy factories” where babies are chained, MEPS and NGOs warn.
In December 2023, the European Commission proposed legislation regulating a market that generates 1.3 billion euros each year to improve traceability of cats and dogs across Europe and ban controversial practices such as ear harvesting.
The EU minister adopted a position on the proposal last year, and the European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the issue in Strasbourg on Thursday, paving the way for final negotiations between agencies before agreement in the final text.
Under the new rules, all pets must be identified using electronic microchip transponders before entering the market to reduce fraud and allow for better enforcement of animal welfare standards.
Online trade breakthrough
However, despite the fact that most illegal pet trades take place online, the law does not require you to verify your PET listings on an online platform before they are published.
Currently, only nine countries need sellers to meet the criteria in order to sell their pets online. This gap allows illegal sellers to post lists anonymously, bypass licenses, and avoid identification checks.
A series of revisions have been submitted by MEPS to address this particular issue. Advocacy groups hope to implement lawmakers with a simple but effective verification system similar to credit card checks to ensure online sellers are trackable and accountable.
The related issue is the common practice of sellers who pretend to be “individuals” to avoid regulations. This avoids mandatory health checks, registrations and taxes, allowing large underground markets to flourish.
Exemptions increase the risk of “puppy factories”
Another controversial issue is the exemption proposed for breeders with fewer liters of less than three. Animal Welfare Group warns that this can exclude approximately 80% of all breeders from surveillance, many of whom operate without proper regulations.
According to the Animal Eurogroup, there is only one breeder that is not regulated to be unable to produce up to 100 puppies or kittens over the life of an animal. In France alone, there are an estimated 20,000-30,000 amateur breeders, many producing at least one garbage a year.
Without regulations, these animals risk raising them in unsanitary or unethical conditions, including so-called “puppy factories,” where animals can be kept in chains, according to NGOs.
Some MEPs are asking for these exemptions to be removed. Four PAWS of animal welfare organizations urged lawmakers to ensure that all breeders, regardless of size, are identified, registered and complied with basic welfare regulations.
“There are no exceptions, full traceability in online sales. In short, this regulation must meet its own purpose,” said the four-legged Georgia Diantaprow.
Shelter under pressure
The ultimate blind spot of the law is limited. Microchipping and registration only apply to animals placed on the market.
This leaves out lost and free roaming animals, leaving shelters to deal with fallout.
European animal shelters face overcrowding and lack of resources put an even greater burden on unregistered pets and the continued consequences of unregistered breeding and trade.
“To effectively fight illegal pet trade and protect animal welfare, EU rules must apply to all cat and dog breeders, including small cats and amateur ones,” says Isa Ariet of Eurogroup, who has to apply for animals.
