EU to introduce microchipping requirement for all dogs and cats

RIGA - All dogs and cats in the European Union (EU) will have to be microchipped and registered in mutually compatible databases of EU member states, but these requirements will be phased in over a long transition period, LETA was told at the Agriculture Ministry.

The European Council (EC) approved a regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats on Tuesday, April 28. The regulation will introduce uniform EU rules for the keeping, breeding and trade of domestic dogs and cats and improve their traceability to combat illegal trade in animals more effectively and enhance their protection and welfare.

At the same time, animal sellers, breeders and shelters will have a four-year transition period to prepare for the introduction of these requirements.

For owners who do not sell pets, the obligation will come into force in ten years for dogs and 15 years for cats.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the regulation will prohibit the inbreeding of dogs and cats, as well as the breeding of dogs and cats with the aim of obtaining exaggerated or excessive features that pose a significant health risk to the animals.

Tethering, as well as use of prong collars and choke collars will be prohibited, except for medical purposes.

To improve animal traceability, dogs and cats imported into the EU from third countries for sale will have to be microchipped before they enter the EU, and registered in a database.

In Latvia, amendments to the Animal Protection Law came into effect on July 1, 2024, imposing stricter requirements for keeping, breeding and disposal of domestic animals.

The amendments require owners or keepers of domestic dogs, cats or ferrets who reproduce the pets to register the fact of reproduction by making a note in the database of the register of domestic animals. The requirements have been effective as of January 1, 2025.