A victory for the protection of dogs and cats in Europe

A victory for the protection of dogs and cats in Europe

Today,  the European Parliament voted in favour of adopting the first  legislation aimed at protecting dogs and cats across Europe.

Although the proposal still has some gaps, and now must be negotiated between the European institutions, this vote marks an important step forward.

Through its Companion for Life project, Almo Nature has been actively campaigning in Brussels and across Member States. Working alongside many European animal welfare organisations, and as the only brand fully committed to this initiative, it is calling on MEPs to support stronger and more ambitious measures.

This work will continue in the months ahead, with a clear aim: to secure regulations that genuinely meet the scale of the challenge.

Meaningful progress for dogs and cats

On 19th June, the European Parliament voted in favour of several amendments to the proposed regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.

Among the most steps forward is a ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, along with a requirement to register microchip numbers in a single European database. There are also plans to introduce a regulated list of species that may be kept as pets.

The scope of the regulation has also been widened to include the movement of dogs and cats for non-commercial purposes. This means the rules could apply not only to animals being sold, but also to those entering the EU for other reasons. If confirmed in the final version, all dogs and cats entering the EU, even those not intended for sale, would be covered.

New measures have also been introduced to improve the welfare of animals on breeding farms, including rules on the minimum age at which animals can be separated from their mother, and limits on the number of litters.

Gaps remain in tackling illegal trafficking

While these developments are encouraging, some important issues still need to be addressed.

For example, the proposed amendments do not require all dogs and cats to be identified and registered before sale. As a result, many animals sold online, often those most at risk, would not be covered by this measure, despite it being a proven way to combat illegal trafficking.

In addition, certain groups of animals remain outside the scope of the regulation, including hunting dogs and some farm animals. This is a concern, as these animals can be particularly vulnerable to poor treatment.

The role of animal welfare organisations and Almo Nature

This progress has been supported by strong collaboration between animal welfare organisations, alongside Almo Nature.

Almo Nature operates within the Reintegration Economy — a model based on reinvesting profits to support biodiversity. Through its Companion for Life programme, and in partnership with more than twenty organisations, it works to raise awareness and put forward practical proposals to strengthen both current and future legislation.

Key measures being advocated include recognising the specific nature of animals, requiring all pets to be microchipped and registered from birth, tightening rules around breeding and sales, and introducing effective penalties for those who break the law.

These positions reflect the vision of Pier Giovanni Capellino, founder and president of Almo Nature. He believes that legislation should encourage a real shift in how people relate to animals, moving away from simple ownership towards a greater sense of responsibility and care.

The campaign continues

Efforts will continue throughout the next stage of negotiations between the European institutions. During this time, Almo Nature will strengthen its engagement by working closely with decision-makers and animal welfare organisations.

New campaign initiatives will be launched soon, and public support will play an important part in helping to bring about lasting change.