Protection of dogs and cats in shelters: EU partially accepts citizens’ initiative for our four-legged friends

Brussels – Animal protection and welfare: the European Commission says it can be done, but with limitations. The specific initiative of European citizens is partially approved calling for strengthened protection for dogs, cats, and stray animals in EU shelters and to ensure that EU action in third countries does not contribute to animal suffering. The promoters also call for further restrictions on the use of dogs and cats for scientific purposes and for “EU trade, association, and funding instruments” to be “designed in such a way that EU funds, trade benefits or cooperation are only granted if minimum standards for the protection of dogs and cats are met.” Furthermore, they believe that “sustainable and humane measures” should be promoted. 

However, this matter does not fall entirely within the remit of the EU executive, which is why the initiative is only being accepted where possible. Specifically, the policies with animal welfare as their stated objective are the exclusive responsibility of Member States; therefore, Brussels would not have the power to propose legislation with this stated purpose. Therefore, the Commission is only partially registering the initiative, as it can do so only in areas where it has the authority to propose new laws. This is the case for animal shelters, animal testing for scientific purposes, trade and cooperation with third countries, and EU funding. 

In general, however, the conditional tense is necessary, since the European citizens’ initiative—the proposal for new legislation put forward by civil society and introduced in 2012—does not automatically become the subject of legislative work once it has been accepted. The promoters must now collect at least one million signatures in at least seven EU Member States within one year. Only then can the EU executive possibly prepare new legislation or amendments to existing legislation. However, it may also choose not to proceed. 

This special citizens’ initiative is part of a series of political initiatives that, in recent years, have seen the European Parliament take action on pet rights, most recently last summer.