Overview

• The regulation, passed June 19, requires all dogs to be microchipped within five years and cats within ten years, with details stored in national and central EU databases.
• Animals imported from non-EU countries must be chipped before entry and registered in a national database within two days of arrival.
• The law prohibits ear and tail docking, bans pet sales in retail stores, and imposes stricter breeding standards to curb harmful practices.
• Member states must finalise the regulation through Council negotiations, although pet owners can already choose to have their animals microchipped to aid identification.
• Officials say the central database will help reunite lost pets with owners and deter illegal breeding and trading operations.