When: Nov. 27, 2018, 5 p.m. - Nov. 27, 2018, 8 p.m.

Where: European Parliament

On 27 November the EU Dog & Cat Alliance held its annual reception, focusing on issues associated with buying companion animals via online advertisements – a practice that has rocketed in recent years, leading to hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats being advertised for sale online on any given day.

Online pet sales are unregulated, so it is difficult for consumers to know whether the individuals behind  online advertisements are legitimate or unscrupulous dealers. Evidence suggests many of the pets advertised are bred in poor conditions and smuggled across borders illegally – with animal and public health and welfare concerns of secondary importance to the profits generated.

The EU Dog & Cat Alliance supports the creation of national Pet Advertising Advisory Groups - whereby websites conform to voluntary standards and advertise pets for sale responsibly – to help European consumers buy pets from reputable dealers, raised in conditions that maximise their chances of leading happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

Our speakers included:

• Pavel Poc MEP (S&D, Czech Republic)
• Marco Valletta, Member of Cabinet of Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
• Suzie Carley, Chair, EU Dog & Cat Alliance
• Eric van der Sommen, Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU