Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

▸11 unchanged paragraphs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability

(COM(2023)0769 – C90443/2023 – 2023/0477(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0769),

– having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 114 and 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C90443/2023),

– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 21 of March 2024,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor of 14 November 2024,

– having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Changed– having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A100000/2025),(A10-0104/2025),

1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Change 1

RemovedRecital 14: (14) A large number of dogs and cats will be covered by detailed welfare rules for the first time, which will allow them to benefit from better living conditions. However, in some cases this could result in significant costs for the operators. The potential risk of welfare problems grows the greater the number of dogs or cats bred or kept at an establishment. It is therefore appropriate, in the interests of proportionality, to distinguish between establishments of different sizes. On the one hand, all establishments, irrespective of the number of litters bred or the number of dogs or cats kept, should be subject to the general welfare principles and requirements. On the other hand, only establishments keeping or placing on the market a certain number of dogs or cats should be subject to more comprehensive and detailed welfare obligations. This approach takes into account the financial burden resulting from compliance with the more comprehensive and detailed welfare requirements, such as costly structural investments. However, occasional and irregular donations of small numbers of dogs and cats by natural persons other than operators, should be excluded from the scope of this Regulation.

AddedRecital 1: (1) Live animals, including cats and dogs are covered by Annex I to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, form part of the common agricultural policy of the Union and their welfare should be protected. There is a market for these animals in the Union, including substantial cross-border trade. Many Member States are signatories to the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. There is a wide range of evidence of sub-optimal functioning of the internal market for dogs and cats in the Union as well as of illegal trade in these animals within the Union and at import into the Union. Therefore, considering the findings on animals, which recognise their capacity for emotions, pain and social interactions,it is necessary to establish minimum requirements for the welfare of dogs and cats that are bred and kept in establishments, as well as strengthened requirements regarding the traceability of dogs and cats placed on the Union market.

RemovedRecital 15: (15) Thresholds for detailed animal welfare rules should be set for breeding establishments, shelters and foster homes. Even if the breeding activities take place in households, as is often the case for different kinds of commercial breeders, all rules for animal welfare of this Regulation should apply once those thresholds are reached. Considering the exclusively commercial nature of selling establishments, it is not necessary to set thresholds. The requirements of this Regulation should apply to all selling establishments, regardless of the number of dogs or cats kept.

AddedRecital 2: (2) Dogs and cats, with its own unique biological and behavioural needs, are traded and kept as pets in the Union. The absence of Union welfare provisions on breeding, keeping and placing on the market of dogs and cats, as well as divergent national rules where they exist, have very often sometimes led to and to those animals being born, bred and sold or adopted at no cost, in circumstances and to serious consequences detrimental to their welfare. Competition between commercial breeders of dogs and cats in different Member States is not conducted on a level playing field because animal welfare conditions are one of the main elements of the competitiveness of these operators and they differ considerably between Member States. As a consequence, competition is distorted, especially for high standards breeders and keepers, which are unable to monetise their investments into animal welfare when they trade cross border because they are confronted with operators that profit from sub-standard animal welfare conditions to exert competition and drive prices and standards down.

RemovedRecital 17: (17) Moreover, in the Union market different types of operators carry out different types of activities with respect to the placing on the market of dogs and cats. Aside from commercial breeders there are selling establishments where dogs and cats, that are typically born and bred in other establishments, are kept or brought together for sale or collection. The protection of these animals may be suboptimal, and there are no common welfare standards that need to be observed in these establishments. Given that selling establishments are commercial operators that place on the market dogs and cats, it is therefore necessary to apply the requirements of this Regulation to these establishments.

AddedRecital 3: (3) Also, consumers are insufficiently protected as they are often confronted, when acquiring a dog or a cat, with the negative consequences of the poor welfare conditions in which the animals have been bred and kept in the establishments, such as health problems, behavioural problems or genetic defects of the dog or cat purchased or acquired. To support informed consumer choices and promote compliance with Union rules, it is essential to inform the public and raise awareness of the difference between responsible and non-compliant or unlawful breeding practices.

RemovedRecital 17 a (new): (17a) Pet shops cannot provide a suitable environment that ensures the welfare of dogs and cats the based on the concept of “five domains” (nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state). The lack of a suitable environment has an extremely negative effect on their mental state, particularly in terms of the distress caused by living in a restrained environment (display enclosures) where animals of different species are kept in restricted conditions that limit their socialisation and exercise. Therefore, the placing on the Union market of dogs and cats by pet shops should be prohibited.

AddedRecital 4 a (new): (4a) Cooperation between Member States should be enhanced in order to identify illegal breeding establishments, dismantle associated networks, and ensure effective enforcement of applicable rules. Strengthening cross-border collaboration, information exchange and coordinated inspections is essential to address the transnational nature of certain illegal activities and to protect animal welfare and consumer interests across the Union.

RemovedRecital 18 a (new): (18a) For the purpose of regulating overpopulation of stray and feral cats, local or regional authorities should be encouraged to adopt animal control programmes where cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinarian to be neutered and vaccinated. After recovery, the cats should be returned to their outdoor colony or their home, , or placed in an animal shelter for re-homing.

AddedRecital 4 b (new): (4b) The number of companion animals in the Union has increased significantly over recent years, reflecting the strong attachment of Union citizens to the welfare of dogs and cats. In light of developments in animal welfare science, the Union and its Member States should be encouraged to promote a legal approach that reflects not only the status of animals as property, but also the ethical responsibility of humans towards their welfare and protection.

RemovedRecital 19 a (new): (19a) Member States have observed the increasing use of foster homes by operators responsible for unwanted, abandoned, stray, lost or confiscated dogs or cats . Given that the number of dogs and cats kept in foster homes may impact the market of dogs and cats, foster homes should be covered by this Regulation. In such cases, the operators placing the dogs or cats in foster homes should be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this Regulation are met in those foster homes. This could be achieved inter alia through a contractual relationship between the operator and the foster family.

AddedRecital 6: (6) Illegal trade of dogs and cats has developed in part due to lack of traceability of these animals to the original litter and to consumers’ enthusiasm for these animals, facilitated by the development of online purchasing. In turn, illegal trade practices are associated with suffering of dogs and cats subject to uncontrolled breeding practices. It is not possible to ensure that operators abide by the same standards of animal welfare, and to ensure uniform conditions of competition in the internal market in relation to the placing on the market of dogs and cats without reliable means to trace the animals to their origin. It is therefore crucial to ensure the traceability of dogs and cats by a system that identifies and registers dogs and cats before their first placing on the Union market as well as each time there is a change of ownership of the animals.

AddedRecital 7: (7) Illegal trade in cats and dogs from outside the EU has been increasing. Current EU rules on the movements of dogs and cats into the EU, such as the provisions of Regulation 576/2013 and of the Animal Health Law, do not contain sufficient tools to prevent this illegal trade. This means that additional rules to fight illegal trade in dogs and cats are required. Existing animal health rules require that, both for commercial and non-commercial movement of dogs and cats entering into the Union, the animals must be identified with a microchip. To reinforce these traceability provisions, the owners or persons responsible for dogs and cats entering into the Union should ensure their registration in one of the Member States’ databases at the place of destination. This will provide for greater control on the movements of those animals.

AddedRecital 8: (8) The traceability provisions of this proposal also contribute to the protection of public health via better animal welfare, better animal health, and better controls on the possible transmission of animal diseases (some of which being of zoonotic nature, some of which transmitting to wildlife, this following a One Health approach.

AddedRecital 8 a (new): (8a) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council 54 regulates transmissible animal diseases for the purpose of avoiding the spread of such diseases in the Union. The health of animals is one of the five domains of animal welfare, and thus addressed in this Regulation. However, this Regulation does not address the diseases listed in Regulation (EU) 2016/429, but rather the state of health of dogs and cats as shaped by non-communicable diseases (for example injuries) or non-listed diseases (for example certain parasites). The rules laid down in this Regulation are therefore complementary to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and do not duplicate or overlap with the rules laid down in that Regulation.

AddedRecital 10: (10) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 requires the identification of dogs and cats with a transponder but only if they are subject to movements between Member States entered into the Union. The identification required by that Regulation is not fully harmonised as it does not include precise standards regarding transponders. Furthermore, that Regulation does not require Member States to keep databases of dogs and cats. Therefore, Member States should be required to establish and maintain databases of dogs and cats placed on the Union market to ensure the traceability of these animals. It is also necessary to ensure the interoperability of these databases. This will facilitate finding information on dogs and cats across the Union, as well as enable competent authorities to carry out official controls to ensure compliance with animal welfare rules.

AddedRecital 11: (11) The placing on the market of dogs and cats, whether for profit or at no cost, has an impact on the internal market. Therefore, to prevent fraud, traceability of all animals traded in the Union market should be ensured and the keeping of animals in breeding and selling establishments, pet foster homes or animal shelters should be subject to detailed rules. The military, police or customs that breed or keep dogs for their own services’ use are not in such situation as they do not carry out their breeding or keeping activities for the market.

AddedRecital 11 a (new): (11a) The occasional supply of puppies and kittens by their owners who keep dogs or cats for personal or familial enjoyment and companionship and without any commercial intent or purpose, does not have a significant impact on the internal market and it is therefore justified to exclude such supply activities from the scope of application of this Regulation .

AddedRecital 13: (13) Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council4 regulates the keeping, breeding and supply of animals kept for scientific purposes including dogs and cats. Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council regulates clinical trials for veterinary medicinal products involving the use of animals, including dogs and cats. Dogs and cats intended or used for scientific purposes as well as dogs and cats used in clinical trials required for the marketing authorisation of veterinary medicinal products should therefore be excluded from the scope of application of this Regulation

AddedRecital 14: (14) A large number of dogs and cats will be covered by detailed welfare rules for the first time, which will allow them to benefit from better living conditions. However, considering the practical difficulties in certain cases to determine whether dogs and cats are kept as pets or used for agricultural purposes, such as herding, guarding livestock, farm protection, or for placing on the market or supply, this Regulation should exempt pet owners who keep a number of dogs and cats and produce a number of litters below a certain threshold. Otherwise, those pet owners would be subject to the relevant requirements of this Regulation, which would not be proportionate. Stray cats that roam freely and that keep rodent populations in check, have long been part of this rural balance and serve a functional and symbiotic role on agricultural holdings. Rural and remote areas, where access to veterinary services and compliance infrastructure may be limited, as well as the need to avoid imposing a disproportionate burden on farmers and small-scale breeders, should be duly taken into account.

AddedRecital 17: (17) Moreover, in the Union market different types of operators carrying out different types of activities with respect to the placing on the market of dogs and cats. Aside from commercial breeders there are selling establishments where dogs and cats, that are typically born and bred in other establishments, are kept for sale. The protection of these animals may be suboptimal, and there are no common welfare standards that need to be observed in these establishments. Given that selling establishments are commercial operators that place on the market dogs and cats, it is therefore necessary to apply the requirements of this Regulation to these establishments.

AddedRecital 19: (19) Despite the differences in the activities carried out by commercial breeders and selling establishments, on the one hand, and animal shelters, on the other, they all place dogs and cats in the Union market and there is a certain amount of overlap, especially at the level of the demand. When looking for a dog or cat, consumers make choices between buying an animal from a breeder (either directly or through a selling establishment or intermediary), or adopting one from a shelter. The acquisition of dogs or cats directly from pet owners is marginal. One important factor in the choice of a dog or a cat is the possible behavioural or other problems that the animal may exhibit because of having been kept in poor welfare conditions and which may reduce their suitability to be kept as a pet animal, irrespective of whether the animal has been kept in a commercial breeding establishment, in a selling establishment or in a shelter. Moreover, given that trade is also conducted by intermediaries and mostly online, consumers may not be aware before they acquire a dog or a cat of whether the animal originates from a shelter, a breeder or a selling establishment. Providing such information could assist buyers in making informed and responsible choices. There is evidence that the number of animals placed on the Union market by shelters is significant, in particular for cats. There is also evidence that animals are placed on from shelters in some Member States to prospective pet owners in…

AddedRecital 19 a (new): (19a) Member States have observed the increasing use of foster homes by operators responsible for unwanted, abandoned, stray, lost or confiscated dogs or cats . Given that the number of dogs and cats kept in foster homes may impact the market of dogs and cats, foster homes should be covered by this Regulation. In such cases, the operators placing the dogs or cats in foster homes should be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this Regulation are met in those foster homes. This could be achieved inter alia through the establishment of a contractual relationship between the operator and the foster family.

AddedRecital 20: (20) In addition, given the significant numbers of animals placed on market inthe Union by shelters, and the need to ensure the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation regarding traceability and prevention of illegal trade, shelters should also be subject to the requirements of this Regulation concerning identification and registration of dogs and cats, regardless of whether or not their activity can be considered economic in nature. Operators responsible for shelters should be encouraged to take appropriate measures to prevent reproduction of the dogs or catskept in shelters.

Recital 23: (23) In order to ensure proper enforcement of this Regulation, it is essential that competent authorities are able to identify the establishments subject to their official controls. It is therefore necessary that operators keeping dogs and cats in establishments notify their activities to the competent authorities and that the competent authorities keep an updated register of these establishments. In order to minimise the administrative burden for operators, competent authorities should be able, for that purpose, to use information or data collected in the register of dogs and cats establishments under Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

Change 2

RemovedRecital 25: (25) Given the fact that animal welfare includes the health of animals, veterinarians are in the best position to provide advice to operators with a view to improving the animal welfare situation in establishments. Establishments keeping a number of dogs and cats that exceeds a certain threshold should therefore receive an advisory animal welfare visit from a veterinarian within the first year of application of this Regulation or within the first year of the notification of a new establishment.

AddedRecital 24: (24) Well trained and skilled staff are essential for improving the welfare conditions of animals. Competencies in animal welfare require knowledge of the basic behavioural patterns and needs of the species concerned. Animal caretakers should have the competencies in animal welfare relevant to their tasks and the animals they handle, in order to avoid inflicting pain, distress and suffering on dogs and cats. Animal caretakers should update their competences through training programmes.

AddedRecital 25: (25) Given the fact that animal welfare includes the health of animals, veterinarians are in the best position to provide advice to operators with a view to improving the animal welfare situation in establishments. Veterinarians should play an active role in raising awareness on the interrelationship between the health and welfare of those animals. Establishments keeping a number of dogs and cats that exceeds a certain threshold dogs and cats should therefore receive an animal welfare visit from a veterinarian within the first year of application of this Regulation or within the first year of the notification of a new establishment, thereafter the visits from a veterinarian shall take place when appropriate, based on a risk analysis by the competent authorities.

AddedRecital 25 a (new): (25a) In order to ensure high level of animal welfare veterinarians maintain an appropriate degree of professional independence from the operator, as well as comprehensive education and ongoing training to stay abreast of scientific and professional advances. This training may, as appropriate, also encompass elements related to recognising instances of violence and animal abuse .

AddedRecital 25 b (new): (25b) Where veterinarians encounter circumstances during their animal health and welfare visits that could seriously affect the welfare of dogs or cats, they are encouraged, where appropriate, to notify the relevant authorities or to consider conducting a follow-up visit to assess the situation.

AddedRecital 25 c (new): (25c) Ending the life of dogs and cats should preferably be assisted by a veterinarian using methods that minimise pain and distress. In exceptional cases, such as when a hunting or livestock guardian dog is severely injured in a remote location where veterinary help is not accessible, other methods may be used, provided they minimise suffering to the greatest extent possible.

Recital 26: (26) Certain breeding strategies may lead to welfare problems for dogs and cats. By selecting certain genetic traits for aesthetic or other marketing reasons, undesirable traits from an animal welfare perspective may also be created and passed on to future generations. Therefore, operators should take measures to ensure that their breeding strategies do not lead to such negative consequences for the welfare of the dogs and cats. In particular, breeding strategies motivated by marketing objectives can result in certain types of dogs and cats developing ‘excessive conformational traits’. Since such excessive conformational traits can lead to significant health problems for the dogs and cats concerned, breeders should exclude them from breeding programmes.

Recital 26 a (new): (26a) Aesthetic shows, exhibitions and competitions of dogs or cats have an impact on the market opportunities and price for selling dogs and cats. Mutilations and certain breeding strategies that result in dogs or cats with excessive conformational traits can be advantageous for breeders competing in aesthetic shows, exhibitions and competitions of dogs or cats. Organising and participating in such events can be driven by factors other than animal welfare, such as aesthetic standards, with the aim of advertising certain breeds and physical characteristics. In order to ensure that breeders prioritise the welfare of the dogs and cats they produce and in particular that dogs and cats do not develop excessive conformational traits and breeders do not perform mutilations to attain unhealthy aesthetic standards, operators of breeding and selling establishments and the organisers of such shows, exhibitions and competitions should not use or include dogs or cats with excessive conformational traits or those which have been mutilated for these shows, exhibitions or competitions.

Recital 27: (27) Scientific evidence demonstrates that inbreeding has significant negative impacts on animal health and welfare. Therefore, inbreeding of dogs and cats between parents and offspring, between siblings, between half siblings or between grandparents and grandchildren should be prohibited, as this increases the incidence of inherited disorders and compromises immune system function, both of which adversely impact the health and welfare of dogs and cats. Inbreeding should nevertheless be possible, when necessary to preserve local breeds with a limited genetic pool provided that it is authorised for that reason by the competent authority.

Change 3

RemovedRecital 33: (33) To prevent pregnancy complications and compromising their welfare, bitches and queens should not be bred before reaching appropriate maturity. To allow them to physically recuperate from pregnancy and lactation, bitches and queens should only be readmitted to reproduction after a sufficient period of time. However, to prevent certain pathological reproductive conditions in bitches and queens, such as pyometra, up to three pregnancies within a period of 2 years should be allowed, followed by an adequate recuperation period. Reproduction should cease in bitches and queens coming into older age and in bitches and queens that have had two cesarean sections, as it cannot be excluded that an additional pregnancy will have a negative effect on their welfare.

AddedRecital 29 a (new): (29a) Scientific evidence confirms that consistent access to adequate nutrition and hydration is fundamental for the welfare of dogs and cats. It is therefore appropriate to lay down minimum requirements for operators in this respect. Feeding and drinking facilities should be kept clean, and designed, constructed and installed in such a way as to ensure equal access for all animals, thus minimising competition and avoiding agonistic behaviour. Such facilities should also be designed to minimise spillage, prevent contamination of feed and water with harmful substances, and avoid any risk of harm to dogs and cats.

RemovedRecital 37: (37) Prior inspection by official veterinarians or other professionals, in case the official control task has been delegated, and consequent approval of establishments is an effective way to ensure that establishments comply with the requirements of this Regulation. However, given that inspections should be focused on establishments representing a higher risk from the point of view of animal welfare, and given the limited availability of official veterinarians in Member States, it is not proportionate to require prior on-site inspection and approval for all establishments. The conditions in breeding establishments are particularly critical to ensure that dogs and cats are properly bred, kept and treated before being placed on the market, in particular due to the consequences that poor animal welfare conditions at an early age can have for dogs and cats. It is therefore important that those establishments are approved by the competent authorities and are subject to onsite pre-inspection before their approval. It is also important that a list of those approved establishments is publicly available to allow potential buyers to verify the status of the breeding establishments and thus to strengthen public control and citizens' awareness.

AddedRecital 30: (30) Scientific evidence is clear about the necessity for dogs and cats of having enough space to express their natural behaviour and having normal social interactions. This is not possible where animals are kept in confinement and in containers for long periods. The keeping of dogs and cats in containers for long periods should therefore be prohibited, except if needed for the transport and temporary, short term isolation of individual dogs and or cats and during the participation in shows, exhibitions and competitions, for puppies or kittens with reduced thermoregulation capacity or puppies or kittens together with their mothers provided that stress is minimised and suffering due to extreme temperatures is avoided and the dogs and cats are able to stand and lie down in a natural position.

AddedRecital 33: (33) To prevent pregnancy complications and compromising their welfare, bitches and queens should not be bred before reaching appropriate maturity. To allow them to physically recuperate from pregnancy and lactation, bitches and queens should only be readmitted to reproduction after a sufficient period of time. However, to prevent certain pathological reproductive conditions in bitches and queens, such as pyometra, up to three pregnancies litters within a period of 2 years should be allowed, followed by an adequate recuperation period, which should not be less of 1 year for bitches and queens that have delivered 3 litters, including stillborns, within a period of 2 years. Reproduction should cease in bitches and queens coming into older age and in bitches and queens that have had two cesarean sections, as it cannot be excluded that an additional pregnancy will have a negative effect on their welfare. All females used for reproduction should be regularly monitored by a veterinarian.

AddedRecital 34 a (new): (34a) Member States should lay down rules on effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for non-compliance with this Regulation, including cases of abandonment of dogs and cats by operators. Breeding establishments that engage in abusive practices compromising animal welfare should, in particular, be subject to strong and dissuasive penalties. Such practices should be unequivocally condemned, and responsible persons should be prevented from continuing their activities in any Member State. Competent authorities should ensure that animals kept in such establishments are promptly removed and provided with appropriate care and protection.

AddedRecital 36: (36) Procedures with the purpose of altering the appearance of or preventing certain behaviours of cats and dogs, such as ear cropping, tail docking, removal of claws and resection of vocal cords, have a serious negative impact on the welfare of cats and dogs. These procedures cause pain and prevent cats and dogs from expressing innate behaviours. For this reason, they should can only be allowed if performed by a veterinarian and only when necessary for medical reasons. However, for certain breeds, f.e. for hunting dogs, such procedures could be allowed for prophylactic, diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons, and only if carried out by a veterinarian. In specific contexts and regions of Europe, tail docking may also be justified to prevent tail injuries, provided it is based on a full and thorough medical evaluation.

AddedRecital 36 a (new): (36a) Dogs used in the military, police and customs services normally undergo a very specific type of training to be prepared in the interest of national security. In order to have the possibility to attain the training deemed most appropriate, Member States should be able to grant derogations for dogs kept in breeding or selling establishments which are destined to be military, police or custom dogs

AddedRecital 37: (37) Prior inspection of establishments by official veterinarians or other professionals, in case the official control task has been delegated, and consequent approval of establishments is an effective way to ensure that establishments comply with the requirements of this Regulation. However, given the limited availability of official veterinarians in Member States, it is not proportionate to require prior on-site inspection and approval for all establishments so that official veterinarians should focus on establishments representing a higher risk from the point of view of animal welfare. The conditions in breeding establishments are particularly critical to ensure that dogs and cats are properly bred, kept and treated before being placed on the market, in particular due to the consequences that poor animal welfare conditions at an early age can have for dogs and cats. It is therefore important that those establishments are approved by the competent authorities and are subject to onsite pre-inspection before their approval. It is also important that a list of those approved establishments is publicly available to allow potential buyers to verify the status of the breeding establishments and thus to strengthen public control and citizens' awareness

AddedRecital 38: (38) Some operators placing on the market dogs and cats encourage potential customers to buy at any cost using emotional arguments, without mentioning to the potential owner the consequences of owning a pet animal. Other operators or shelters insist on the responsibility attached to pet ownership and this has the effect of limiting their ability to sell animals. This discrepancy of attitudes of operators tends to advantage less responsible operators, leading to distortions of competition despite the importance for animal welfare and public order of informing customers about their responsibility when buying a dog or a cat. It is therefore justified to require that all operators placing of dogs and cats in the Union market for use as pets inform future owners on their responsibility. In addition, where the placing on the market of a dog or cat is facilitated by online means, an appropriate warning should accompany the online advertisement to efficiently convey the message of responsible ownership.