Overview
- Current owners may keep affected cats if a microchip proves the animals were owned before the law takes effect.
- Violations such as acquiring or reproducing these breeds after Jan. 1, 2026 carry an administrative fine of €1,500.
- The Netherlands had already prohibited breeding since 2014, and the new regulation extends restrictions to purchase and commercialization.
- Authorities cite specific risks: Scottish Folds have a cartilage mutation linked to osteochondrodysplasia, while Sphynx cats face skin disease and temperature‑regulation problems.
- Additional measures reported include a ban on showing these cats at competitions or exhibitions and an exemption for short‑term transit through Dutch ports and airports.