Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. Where advised in writing by a veterinarian to do so, the operators may adjust the feeding and watering frequencies. The operators shall keep a record of the advice for its entire duration as advised by the veterinarian.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 1: 1. Except of natural or legal person responsible for shelters, operators shall ensure that dogs and cats are provided with housing in accordance with point 2 of Annex I.

Article 12 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. Operators shall ensure that:

Change 46

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 2 – point c: (c) in breeding establishments,establishments and selling establishments where dogs and cats are kept indoors, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentrations are not harmful to dogs or cats and that ventilation is sufficient to avoid overheating and, where necessary, in combination with heating systems, to remove excessive moisture;overheating;

Change 47

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new): Operators shall not keep dogs or cats in containers.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) dogs and cats have enough space to be able to move around freely and to express species-specific behaviour according to their needs;

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: By way of derogation from the second subparagraph, containers may be used for the transport, short-term isolation of individual dogs or cats, and during the participation in shows, exhibitions and competitions, provided that stress is minimised and suffering is avoided, and the dogs and cats are able to stand and lie down in a natural position.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1: Operators shall not keep dogs or cats in containers.

Change 48

ChangedArticle 12 – paragraph 7:3 7.– Operatorssubparagraph shall2: ensureBy thatway dogsof orderogation, catscontainers aremay exposedonly tobe lightused andfor arethe abletransport, toshort stayterm inisolation theof darkindividual fordogs sufficientor cats and uninterruptedduring periodsthe participation in ordershows, toexhibitions maintainand acompetitions, normalfor circadianpuppies rhythm.or /kittens Forwith thereduced purposesthermoregulation ofcapacity theor firstpuppies subparagraph,or ‘light’kittens meanstogether naturalwith light,their complemented,mothers, whereprovided needed,that duestress tois theminimised climaticand conditionssuffering is avoided and geographicthe positiondogs ofand acats Memberare Stateable byto artificialstand light.and lie down in a natural position.

Change 49

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 4: 4. Keeping dogs exclusively indoors shall be prohibited. Dogs kept indoors shall have daily access to an outdoor area that allows exercise, exploration and socialisation. In addition, when dogs are kept in kennels, operators shall design and construct individual enclosures to allow dogs to have free access to a confined outdoor space and an indoor space or an individual hut.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 6 a (new): 6a. Operators of breeding and selling establishments shall use, where necessary, heating or cooling systems to maintain good air quality, an appropriate temperature in indoor enclosures at their establishments, and remove excessive moisture.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 7: 7. Operators shall ensure that dogs or cats are exposed to light, and are able to stay in the dark for sufficient and uninterrupted periods in order to maintain a normal circadian rhythm. / For the purposes of the first subparagraph, ‘light’ means natural light, complemented, where needed, due to the climatic conditions and geographic position of a Member State, by artificial light.

Article 12 – paragraph 8: deleted

Change 50

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 8 a (new): 8a. Paragraph 4 shall not apply to breeding establishments where livestock guardian dogs are kept during the periods when such dogs are being trained for herding purposes.

Article 13 – paragraph 1: deleted

Change 51

ChangedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. Operators and caretakers shall ensure that:

Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) dogs or cats under their responsibility are inspected by animal caretakers at least once a day and vulnerable dogs and cats, such as newborns, ill or injured dogs and cats, and peri-partum bitches and queens, are inspected more frequently;

Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) dogs or cats with signs of disease, sickness, injury or otherwise compromised welfare are transferred, where required, without undue delay to a separate area, are treated by a veterinarian, where appropriate, and kept there until they are fully recovered;

Change 52

ChangedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – point c: (c) where, in cases referred to in point (b), recovery is not achievable and the dogs or cats experience severe pain or suffering that cannot be alleviated,alleviated theyand keeping them alive is contrary to the rules of their well-being euthanasia may be euthanisedonly carried out by a veterinarian and with the prior consent of the operator;operator

Change 53

RemovedArticle 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part: Operators of breeding establishments shall ensure that:

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) measures are in place to prevent and control external and internal parasites, including preventive veterinary treatments such as vaccination, to prevent common diseases to which dogs or cats are likely to be exposed with due regard to the epidemiological situation;

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – point e: (e) enrichment materials do not present any risk of biological or chemical contamination.

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new): (ea) if available, relevant health related information shall be provided to the acquirer of a dog or a cat, including information on vaccination, allergies, health conditions and on responsible ownership in accordance with article 8(1). / Point (a) shall not apply to breeding establishments where livestock guardian dogs are kept during the periods when such dogs are used for herding or training purposes.

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. The euthanasia of a dog or a cat in animal shelters as a population management solution is prohibited.

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new): (eb) health care for animals is aligned with a ‘One Health’ approach, such as the prudent use of antibiotics to avoid anti-microbial resistance (AMR).

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part: Operators responsible for breeding establishments and their caretakers shall ensure that:

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point -a (new): (-a) measures are taken to safeguard the health of dogs or cats in accordance with point 3 of Annex I;

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) bitches or queens are only bred if they have a minimum age in accordance with point 3 of Annex I, their skeletal growth is completed, and they have no diagnosed disease, clinical sign of diseases or physical conditions which could negatively impact their pregnancy and welfare;

ChangedArticle 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b: (b) litter-giving pregnancies of bitches or queens follows a maximum frequency in accordance with point 3 of Annex I; ;

Change 54

RemovedArticle 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) artificial insemination of bitches or queens is performed only by a veterinarian and only in exceptional circumstances only.

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point d: deleted

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e: (e) dogs and cats which are no longer used for reproduction, including as a result of the provisions of this Regulation, are either kept or sold, donated or rehomed, not killed or abandoned.

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: deleted

Change 55

AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 a (new): When operators and natural or legal persons responsible for shelters possess results of health tests of a dog or a cat or genetic reports and diagnoses of sire or dam of the pet animal in question, they shall share this information with the animal´s acquirer.

Article 13 – paragraph 4: deleted

Change 56

ChangedArticle 14 – paragraph 1: 1. Operators shall ensure that measures are taken to meet the behavioural needs of dogscats or catsdogs in accordance with point 4 of Annex I.

Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. Keeping dogs and cats in areas restraining their natural movements shall be prohibited, except in case of Article 12(3), second sub-paragraph, and for performing the following procedures or treatments:

Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) physical examinations;

Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) individual identification of dogs and cats and reading the identification information;

Change 57

AddedArticle 14 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) procedures for hygienic, health or reproductive purpose;

AddedArticle 14 – paragraph 2 – point e: (e) medical treatment.

AddedArticle 14 – paragraph 3: 3. Tethering shall be prohibited, except for the duration of a medical treatment.

Article 14 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5a. Operators shall ensure that enrichment is provided and accessible to all dogs or cats, creating a stimulating environment, enabling species-specific behaviour and reducing their frustration.

Change 58

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 1: 1. Mutilations, including ear cropping, tail docking, claw removal or other partial or complete digit amputation, and resection of vocal cords or folds, shall be prohibited unless they are performed due to a medical indication with the sole purpose of improving or preserving the health of dogs or cats. In such case, the procedure shall only be performed by a veterinarian under anaesthesia and prolonged analgesia.

AddedArticle 14 – paragraph 5 b (new): 5b. Member States may grant derogations from paragraph 3 for dogs intended for use in military, police and customs services that are kept in breeding or selling establishments.

Change 59

ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 11: a1. (new):Mutilations, 1a.including Theear medicalcropping, indicationtail fordocking, theclaw mutilationremoval andor detailsother ofpartial procedureor carriedcomplete outdigit shallamputation, beand documentedresection byof avocal veterinarian.cords Thisor documentfolds, shall be retained by the operator until the dog or cat, along withprohibited thisunless document,they are transferredperformed toupon anothermedical establishmentindication, orwhich owner.may Theinclude operatorprophylactic, ofdiagnostic, theand/or establishmenttreatment responsiblereasons, forwith the dog or cat whensole thepurpose mutilationof was, performedpreserving, byimproving the veterinarian shall retain a copyhealth of the documentdogs foror threecats years.or /preventing Byinjury. wayIn ofsuch derogation,case, Memberthe Statesprocedure mayshall allowonly earbe croppingperformed by notching or tipping cat ears in the context of marking straya catsveterinarian whenunder neuteredanaesthesia underand trap-neuterprolonged programmes.analgesia.

Change 60

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 2: 2. Operators shall ensure that neutering, when justified, may be permitted by a veterinarian and performed under anaesthesia and prolonged analgesia.

AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. The medical indication for the mutilation and details of procedure to be carried out,shall be documented by a veterinarian. This document shall be retained by the operator until the dog or cat, along with this document, are transferred to another establishment or owner. The operator of the establishment responsible for the dog or cat when the mutilation was performed by the veterinarian shall retain a copy of the document for three years. / By way of derogation, Member States may allow ear cropping by notching or tipping cat ears in the context of marking stray cats when neutered under trap-neuter programmes.

Change 61

ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 22: –2. subparagraphOperators 1shall ensure that neutering is only performed under anesthesia and prolongued analgesia by a (new):veterinarian. / Veterinarians may consider non-surgical sterilisation to neutering, whenever appropriate.

Change 62

ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 – introductory part: 3. HandlingThe following handling practices that cause pain or suffering shall be prohibited, including:prohibited:

Change 63

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) tying up body parts;

AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 – point d: (d) prolonged using of muzzles, unless required for health or welfare reasons, in which case the duration shall be limited to the minimum period necessary.

Change 64

ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 – point d:e: (d)(e) usinglifting ofdogs muzzles;or cats by the limbs, the head, the tail, ears, skin or the hair.

Change 65

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 – point e: (e) lifting dogs or cats by the limbs, the head, the tail, ears or the hair.

Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new): (ea) using prong collars;

Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new): (eb) using choke collars without safety top;

Change 66

ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 a (new): (3a)3a. By way of derogation from paragraph 3: / (a) the practices referred to in points (a),point (c) and (d) of paragraph 3 may be performed for medical reasons in theand interestlimited ofto the dog or cat’sminimum welfareperiod ;necessary; / (b) the practice referred to in pointpoints (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 3 may be performed for the reason to secure the welfare of dogs or cats when necessary, for public health, security or animalpublic safetysafety, reasonssecurity in which cases the duration shall be limited to the minimum time necessary and the dog or cat shall be supervised. / Member States may grant derogations from paragraph 3 for dogs intended for use in military, police or customs services.

Change 67

ChangedArticle 15 a (new): Article15aArticle 15a / Aesthetic shows, exhibitions and competitions / 1. Operators of breeding or selling establishments shall not use in aesthetic shows, exhibitions and competitions of dogs and cats, dogs or cats with excessive conformational traits or dogs or cats which have been mutilated in such a way that results in an alteration of physical characteristics. / 2. Organisers of aesthetic shows, exhibitions and competitions of dogs and cats shall exclude from such shows, exhibitions and competitions dogs and cats which have excessive conformational traits or dogs or cats which have been mutilated in such a way that results in an alteration of physical characteristics. / 3. The Commission shall provide for appropriate transitional measures when adopting the delegated acts referred to in paragraph 3 of Article 6a

Change 68

RemovedArticle 16: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)

AddedArticle 17 – paragraph 1: 1. All dogs and cats kept in establishments and all dogs and cats placed on the market shall be individually identified by means of a subcutaneous transponder containing a microchip, in accordance with Annex II. The implantation of the transponder shall be performed by a veterinarian or under the responsibility of a veterinarian. Where a veterinarian considers that the implantation of a microchip could significantly compromise the dog’s or cat’s health, he/she may delay the microchip implantation temporarily until the animal’s health concerns can be suitably addressed. In case a dog or a cat is experiencing significant adverse reactions after the implantation of the microchip, the veterinary shall take all the necessary actions to ensure the dog’s or cat’s health, including removal of the microchip.