For the first time, the European Union has common rules for how dogs and cats are bred, sold and identified. The European Parliament approved the law on 28 April 2026, and EU ministers gave their final approval in May. If you live in the EU, including Slovenia, here's what it means for you and your pets.

Every dog and cat gets a microchip

All dogs and cats, including ones that already have a home, will need a microchip and must be registered in a national database. These databases will be connected across EU countries, so a dog that goes missing in one country can be traced back to its owner in another.

There's time to adjust. Breeders, sellers and shelters have four years after the law takes effect. Owners who aren't selling have ten years for dogs and fifteen years for cats. Our advice: don't wait. A chip with up-to-date contact details is one of the best ways to get a lost pet home.

Stricter rules for breeders

  • No breeding between close relatives (parents and offspring, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren).
  • Limits on how young, how old and how often an animal can be bred.
  • A cat or dog that has had two caesarean sections can't be bred again.
  • No breeding for extreme looks that harm health, and animals with those traits are excluded from shows.
  • No breeding of hybrids with wild species.

Banned practices

Cutting ears or tails or removing claws for looks or show rules is banned. So is keeping an animal tied up (except for medical treatment), and choke or prong collars without a safety mechanism. Dogs must get daily time outdoors or a daily walk, and every animal needs clean water, enough food and decent living conditions.

Online sales and imports

Around 60% of EU pet owners have bought a dog or cat online, according to the European Commission, and that's where much of the illegal trade happens. Online ads will now need verifiable identification details. Dogs and cats brought in from outside the EU must be microchipped before arrival and registered at least five days in advance, unless they're already in another EU country's database.

When it starts

The law takes effect 20 days after it is published in the EU's Official Journal, with transition periods for many of the rules. Check with your national authority for the exact dates in your country.

Why we care

Paw Alert exists to get lost pets home. Connected chip databases across Europe will make that a lot easier. If your pet isn't chipped yet, or you've moved or changed your number since, now's a good time to sort it out with your vet.

Sources