Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

8.3.2022

Under the existing EU animal welfare legislation, the welfare of dogs is regulated in limited circumstances and in particular during transport in connection with a commercial activity[1]. Any remaining aspects concerning the welfare of dogs is subject to Member States’ national legislation.

Consignments of dogs moving among EU Member States must be accompanied by a health certificate and the movement must be notified through the TRACES System[2]. However, this System does not gather data on non-commercial movements of dogs accompanying their owners nor the purpose of each movement (adoption or any other).

• [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97, OJ L 3, 5.1.2005, p. 1‐44.
• [2] https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/traces_en