The European Parliament has adopted a new regulation introducing European Union-wide rules on the breeding, sale, and ownership of dogs and cats, aiming to combat illegal trade and improve animal welfare across member states.

The legislation, agreed with the Council of the European Union in November 2025, establishes for the first time common standards across the bloc. It requires that all dogs and cats be microchipped and registered in national databases, which will be interconnected at EU level to improve traceability and reduce anonymous trading.

The rules are intended to target a multi-billion-euro market in which lack of oversight has enabled illegal breeding and cross-border sales, often linked to poor animal welfare. They also introduce minimum requirements for breeding practices, including standards for space, hygiene, veterinary care, and animal wellbeing.

Restrictions are also placed on so-called puppy mills, with bans on permanently caging animals and limits on breeding frequency and age. The regulation further addresses the sale of animals with extreme physical traits and seeks to prevent misleading private sales used to bypass commercial rules.

The law will affect an estimated 72 million dogs and 83 million cats across the EU. However, implementation will be gradual, with breeders and sellers given up to four years to comply, while full obligations for private owners will apply after 10 years for dogs and 15 years for cats.

In contrast, the EU has spent years discussing the Migration and Asylum Pact without reaching a firm agreement, as efforts to regulate entry or deportation of those without legal status are often met with political opposition. In contrast, rules on pet identification and registration have been adopted with broad consensus in Brussels.