Push for compulsory identification and registration of dogs and cats on an EU accessible database

Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed the EU Dog and Cat Alliance‘s new report highlighting disparity in the laws around dogs and cats across the EU, in areas including the trade of animals and compulsory identification. The national legislation report, which was commissioned to provide important information on current legislation in all 28 EU member states, was launched at the first ever Alliance meeting in Brussels.

The findings were welcomed by several groups, including the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, based in London.

As a member of the Alliance, Battersea said it "fully supports" the push for compulsory identification and registration of dogs and cats on an EU accessible database.

It also wants to see compulsory licensing of dog and cat breeders, a ban on the sales of dogs and cats in pet shops and controls on the internet trade of these companion animals.

Dee McIntosh, Battersea’s Director of Communications, said: “It’s all too clear that there’s a wide variation in national legislation on dog and cat breeding and trade across EU countries and action is needed to ensure this improves.

“This new report is very encouraging and Battersea will work with national politicians to see how we can better legislate to improve dog and cat welfare.”

Further comment came from Laura Vallance, Chair of the EU Dog and Cat Alliance, who said: “This ground-breaking report is the first of its kind and a vital lobbying tool in improving and regulating the welfare of dogs and cats through the EU.”

The EU Dog & Cat Alliance has sent the report to all 751 Members of the European Parliament, 28 national governments and the European Commission and will be meeting with MEPs to encourage member states to collectively legislate for more uniform dog and cat welfare.

The EU Dog & Cat Alliance was established in 2014 and represents 45 dog and cat welfare organisations from across the EU. The Alliance is calling for EU action to build a better Europe.

Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats. Battersea cares for an average of 400 dogs and 250 cats across its three centres at any one time.

By Martin Banks


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