The European regulatory framework applicable to dogs and cats has just undergone a major turning point. With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2026/1818, breeding, traceability, and ownership rules are evolving simultaneously across all member states. This article measures the gap between the new European obligations and the situation in France, where overcrowded shelters and increased penalties are reshaping the landscape.
European Regulation 2026/1818 on Pets: Timeline and Obligations
Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 covers a broad spectrum: breeding, reproduction, ownership, sale, identification, and traceability of dogs and cats. Its provisions will not apply all at once. The majority of obligations will come into effect gradually starting from August 31, 2028.
For animals introduced into the Union for commercial purposes, prior identification by microchip will become mandatory starting August 31, 2031. Some obligations concerning individuals will be even later.
| Obligation | Application Date | Concerned Public |
|---|---|---|
| Restrictions on extreme breeding practices | August 31, 2028 | Professional breeders |
| Ban on choke collars | August 31, 2028 | All owners |
| Restrictions on the usual use of cages/transport crates | August 31, 2028 | All owners |
| Interoperable national databases and European index | Gradually from 2028 | National authorities |
| Mandatory microchip (animals imported for commercial purposes) | August 31, 2031 | Importers, commercial breeders |
The text also provides for the creation of interoperable national databases linked to a European index. The goal: to enable the identification of an animal during a move or change of country, which goes beyond current national systems.
Several European media outlets, including Corriere della Sera, have reported on these measures. The French Ministry of Agriculture confirmed them in its regulatory bulletin for the week of September 5 to 11, 2026.
Dog and cat owners following the news on chiensetchats.net have already noted that these regulatory changes are raising practical questions, particularly regarding the compliance of French breeding practices.
Increased Penalties in France and the Fight Against Illegal Transfers
France has not waited for the 2028 deadline to tighten its arsenal. New criminal penalties target the transfer of dogs and cats in pet shops and online, with increased controls on online advertisements.
Several animal protection associations believe that puppy and kitten shows are incompatible with the policy against abandonment and do not respect basic animal protection rules. This tension between the commercial sector and associations illustrates a recurring debate in the industry.
- Increased controls on online advertisements for the sale of puppies and kittens, with heavier criminal penalties for unregistered sellers.
- Growing opposition to puppy shows, targeting events where health and behavioral conditions are deemed insufficient.
Saturation of Shelters in France: A Structural Problem
According to a report by 20 Minutes published in September 2026, France struggles to protect its domestic animals. Animal abuse, overcrowded shelters, and online trafficking form a triptych that persists despite legislative advances.
The saturation of shelters is not a temporary issue. It results from a lasting imbalance between the number of abandonments, the capacity for reception, and the rate of adoption. Associations report that online trafficking exacerbates the overpopulation of shelters, as animals from illegal channels often end up in shelters after seizure or abandonment.
European traceability measures could, in the long run, reduce this flow. An animal identified by microchip and registered in an interoperable database is easier to link to an owner, complicating anonymous abandonment.
Animal Welfare in Daily Life: What the Regulation Changes for Owners
Beyond traceability and penalties, Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 modifies common ownership practices. The ban on choke collars and the restriction of the usual use of cages or transport crates directly affect the daily lives of dog owners.
The European regulation is part of a logic aimed at reducing chronic stress in animals by targeting prolonged confinement practices and coercive devices.
Restrictions on extreme breeding practices target breeds selected for morphological characteristics that cause suffering (severe brachycephaly, excessive dwarfism). Affected breeders will need to adapt their breeding programs before 2028, under penalty of sanctions whose modalities remain to be specified at the national level.
- Choke collars will be banned throughout the European Union starting August 31, 2028.
- The regular use of cages or transport crates as a means of confinement will be restricted, with criteria for duration and surface area still being defined.
- So-called hypertype breeds will be subject to breeding programs compliant with the new welfare standards.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1818, the new French penalties, and the pressure from associations converge towards a common goal: to reduce the gap between the law and the reality on the ground. The deadlines of 2028 and 2031 will measure this ambition. For dog and cat owners, the upcoming period requires careful regulatory monitoring and, for some breeders, a complete overhaul of their practices.
