The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals is a treaty of the Council of Europe to promote the welfare of pet animals and ensure minimum standards for their treatment and protection. The treaty was signed in 1987 and became effective on 1 May 1992, after at least four countries had ratified it. Adherence to the treaty is open and not limited to member countries of the Council of Europe. As of February 2025, it has been ratified by 27 states (most recently by Moldova in 2025).
Content The convention is divided into seven chapters: General provisions Principles for the keeping of pet animals Supplementary measures for stray animals Information and education Multilateral consultations Amendments Final provisions
Parties
Parties to the European Convention for the Protection of Pet AnimalsCountrySignedRatifiedEntry into forceAndorra28 January 202219 October 20221 May 2023Austria2 October 199710 August 19991 March 2000Azerbaijan22 October 200319 October 20071 May 2008Belgium13 November 198720 December 19911 July 1992Bulgaria21 May 200320 July 20041 February 2005Cyprus9 December 19939 December 19931 July 1994Czech Republic24 June 199823 September 19981 April 1999Denmark*13 November 198720 October 19921 May 1993Finland2 December 19912 December 19911 July 1992France18 December 19963 October 20031 May 2004Germany21 June 198827 May 19911 May 1992Greece13 November 198729 April 19921 November 1992Italy13 November 198719 April 20111 November 2011Latvia1 March 201022 October 20101 May 2011Lithuania11 September 200319 May 20041 December 2004Luxembourg13 November 198725 October 19911 May 1992Moldova13 September 202426 February 20251 September 2025Netherlands13 November 198715 December 20221 July 2023Norway13 November 19873 February 19881 May 1992Portugal13 November 198728 June 19931 January 1994Romania23 June 20036 August 20041 March 2005Serbia2 December 20102 December 20101 July 2011Spain9 October 201529 July 20171 February 2018Sweden14 March 198914 March 19891 May 1992Switzerland13 November 19903 November 19931 June 1994Turkey18 November 199928 November 20031 June 2004Ukraine5 July 20119 January 20141 August 2014Countries in italics do allow tail docking.* The Convention does not apply to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. A review of the treaty performed in 1995 resulted in minor modifications of the text and allowed signatory states to declare themselves exempt from certain paragraphs of the treaty. Subsequently, a number of additional countries signed and ratified the treaty, making use of this provision by declaring themselves exempt from the prohibition of tail docking. No country that has ratified the treaty has made any reservations regarding the other cosmetic surgeries prohibited by §10: cropping of ears, removal of vocal cords, and declawing.
See also Animal law Animal rights by country or territory Cruelty to animals List of Council of Europe treaties List of international animal welfare conventions
References
External links Details of Treaty No.125 – European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, Treaty available in ECOLEX-the gateway to environmental law (English)