Yesterday, the EU Commission’s funded study on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices was published in parallel to the Eurobarometer on animal welfare and the EDUCAWEL study on education and information activities on animal welfare. This EU survey was ordered by the European Commission on a special request made by the Council of the European Union in 2010. The study collected data from 12 representative Member States, in which 85% of the estimated total dog and 87% of the estimated cat population in the EU are located.

The study covers both animal-related concerns such as their health and welfare status as well as human ones, with the risks of pet-transmitted diseases and consumer deception. Economic factors were mentioned as well as the existing impact on the internal market caused by unscrupulous actors. Five main areas where the situation must be improved have been identified. These areas are breeding, transport and the lack of knowledge and information about the keeping of pets, discrepancies in the market data of pets and the protection of consumers. In particular, the study shows that most of the above-mentioned problems could be solved by increasing traceability.

Besides the registration of breeders, the study shows that there is an outrageous difference between the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) figures and the reality of the trade in cats and dogs and that this system needs to be analysed, evaluated and improved. Last but not least, the study pointed out the huge benefits that linked, compatible, harmonised systems of identification and the registration of cats and dogs would bring to Europe to solve the aforementioned problems.

Read about the outcomes of the first EU survey on the welfare of dogs and cats involved in commercial practices here: http://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/docs/aw_eu-strategy_study_dogs-cats-commercial-practices.pdf