Why Your Dog (or Cat) Will Soon Have an ID Card in Europe

Europe’s Furry Citizens Finally Get “ID” Rights

In a move that could affect nearly every corner of the continent, the European Union is about to make it mandatory for all professionally sold dogs and cats to be microchipped. With over 255 million pets living among 450 million Europeans, the regulation could change the daily lives of animals—and their humans—for good.

The justification? Pet trafficking, unregulated online sales, and, let’s face it, votes. There are 166 million pet owners in Europe—only slightly fewer than the 183 million citizens who voted in the last European Parliament elections. Brussels clearly understands that winning over Rex and Felix means winning over the people.

A Legislative Journey Worthy of a Drama

It took two years, 28 official articles, 275 amendments, and 8 additional provisions, but the European Parliament is expected to vote this week on the continent’s first comprehensive pet traceability law.

Under the regulation, every dog or cat sold by a professional breeder, pet shop, or shelter must be microchipped. The goal: combat the booming illegal trade in animals, which sees over 780,000 pets marketed online at any given time in the EU.

The European Commission will maintain a centralized identification index in Brussels. Your pet’s profile could soon be stored in a secure European database, alongside food safety and consumer product logs.

Who's Affected—and Who Isn’t?

Private pet owners can breathe easy. The rules apply strictly to professional breeders, sellers, and large shelters. You won’t need to register Fluffy for a digital ID just yet—unless you’re planning to start a cattery with more than five breeding females.

Smaller shelters (fewer than 15 animals) will get a “lenient” regime: no required annual vet visits or formal staff training. Larger shelters, however, will face strict supervision, including random vet inspections, official staff certifications, and mandatory updates to the EU’s centralized “Establishment Register.”

One groundbreaking rule: pets must be sterilized before being released from shelters, essentially turning every large rescue into a furry family-planning center. Member states are even encouraged to use fines from rule-breakers to support animal shelters.

A Crackdown on Designer Breeds and Online Scams

The law also takes aim at extreme breed conformations. Breeds like flat-faced Persian cats and brachycephalic bulldogs may soon be banned from exhibitions due to their inherited breathing problems—finally responding to veterinary warnings that date back nearly a century.

Moreover, online platforms, where 60% of all pet sales now occur, will be held accountable. The digital marketplace for pets—riddled with scams and illegal trafficking—is now under regulatory scrutiny. In France alone, 254 fraud cases were identified in 2022–2023, yet only three resulted in prosecution.

According to Czech MEP Veronika Vrecionova, who championed the reform, this legislation is a landmark win: “This proposal is a major step forward against illegal breeding.”

A Common-Sense Law—Long Overdue

Despite the bureaucratic ballet, the regulation has been widely praised. It prohibits inbreeding, prevents the premature separation of newborns, and strikes a blow against “puppy mills” and shady backyard breeders. In short, it defends animals from their worst enemy: humans.

The measure sailed through the Agriculture Committee with 35 votes in favor, just 2 against, and 9 abstentions. It’s now headed to a full parliamentary vote, expected to pass smoothly before final negotiations with the Council.

For once, it seems Brussels has found something that unites Europe: dogs and cats deserve better.