🇪🇺 New EU Regulation on Dog and Cat Welfare – A Historic Step Forward

On April 28, 2026, the European Parliament adopted the first common regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats across the entire European Union. This is a milestone – until now standards varied from country to country, and the new regulation introduces uniform rules to protect our pets across the European continent. 🌍

📌 Why is this important?

Pets are family members, not merchandise – that is the key message from the European Parliament[3]. With the new rules, the EU finally gains a powerful mechanism that:

• protects dogs and cats from abuse and cruel business practices
• combats illegal trafficking worth €1.3 billion annually
• sets clear standards for breeders, sellers and shelters
• promotes responsible ownership and the fight against irresponsible breeding

„A pet is not an object or a toy. It is much more than that. We finally have stronger rules on breeding and traceability that will help us confront those who view animals as an easy way to make money,“ said rapporteur Veronika Vrecionová[1].

📌 Key objectives of the regulation

🔹 Improving animal welfare

Minimum standards for housing, care and access to open space are introduced in professional establishments (breeders, sellers, shelters). Keeping dogs and cats in containers is prohibited, and at least one caretaker per establishment must undergo special training.

🔹 Strengthening traceability

Every dog and cat in the EU (including those in private ownership) must be microchipped and registered in interoperable national databases that will communicate with each other[2]. The rules take effect gradually:

• sellers, breeders and shelters have 4 years to prepare
• for owners who do not sell animals: 10 years for dogs / 15 for cats

🔹 Curbing irresponsible breeding and sales

Breeding is prohibited between:

• parents and offspring
• grandparents and grandchildren
• siblings (including half‑siblings)

Online sale of animals is also banned, because as many as 60% of buyers acquire dogs online, often without any guarantees[1].

📌 Next steps: Delegated acts by 2030 and 2036

The regulation itself is only the beginning. The precise technical rules – so‑called delegated acts – are still being prepared and will be adopted in the coming period.

• By 2030: specific acts on „excessive conformational traits“ – physical characteristics that harm the health of dogs and cats (e.g., extremely short muzzles, excessive skin folds, abnormally large eyes). Deformities resulting from unnatural selection will be banned and excluded from further reproduction. Experts estimate that in Europe over 40 million animals have some degree of exaggerated traits that negatively affect their quality of life.
• By 2036: acts on genetic traits that adversely affect health and welfare, along with mandatory health screening of animals prior to breeding.

These are technically demanding deadlines, as clear criteria must be defined for each breed – what is still an acceptable standard and what is already an extreme trait causing suffering.

📌 The role of the Serbian Kennel Club and the FCI

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has been actively involved in the whole process of preparing this regulation, cooperating with the European Commission[4]:

• December 2023: stakeholder meeting in Brussels
• April–May 2024: consultations with national canine organisations and the FCI Scientific Commission
• June 2024: official comments and proposed amendments submitted to the European Commission
• April 2025: joint letter for mandatory microchipping and registration of dogs and cats
• February–March 2026: collection of data on health tests and breed‑specific guidelines

The main task of canine organisations now is:

• to support responsible breeders
• to provide expert advice and participate in national discussions
• to help define „excessive traits“ based on expert knowledge and long‑term experience

📌 What does this mean for breeders and owners in Serbia?

Serbia is not an EU member, but the new regulation will indirectly affect us as well:

1. Export of dogs: breeders wishing to export their dogs to the EU will have to comply with the new rules (microchipping before export, appropriate documentation, certification in approved establishments).
2. International shows: at shows in the EU, only dogs that meet the new standards (without visibly exaggerated traits that endanger health) may be exhibited.
3. Access to genetic material: restrictions on in‑breeding and the ban on breeding with exaggerated traits could affect the approval of stud combinations and litter registrations.

The European canine community now expects national organisations to provide expert data and recommendations – this is an opportunity for us from Serbia, through the Serbian Kennel Club and the FCI, to contribute to shaping European standards.

Therefore, I call upon all breeders, exhibitors and dog lovers to:

• send their comments and suggestions locally, through their respective canine clubs
• contact the Serbian Kennel Club with their expert opinions
• sign the FCI petition and share it within their canine communities

🙏 Only through joint engagement can we ensure that the new rules recognise and reward responsible breeders, rather than unnecessarily burden them.

Sharing this text is allowed and encouraged – share it, copy it, post it on social media and in canine groups! The more people are informed and active, the greater the chance that our voice will be heard. 🐕