Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
30.8.2023
Currently, the EU legislation does not address extensively the issue of protection of pet animals. Regulation (EC) No 1/2005[1] on protection of animals during transport contains some provisions on protection of cats and dogs during commercial transport, such as the minimum age for transport and feeding regime.
The Farm to Fork Strategy[2] announced the revision of the animal welfare legislation. As an important part of the revision, the Commission is therefore looking at the introduction of provisions to protect cats and dogs in commercial breeding, as well as in commercial transport.
The Commission is unable to verify whether the shelter is a beneficiary of EU support as the information made available to it in relation to the case at stake is insufficient to identify such a project. Additionally, the Commission has no specific role regarding the way animal shelters are managed by the national competent authorities.