European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals


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 June 2020, it has been ratified by 24 states.

Content

The Convention is divided into seven chapters:
  1. General provisions
  2. Principles for the keeping of pet animals
  3. Supplementary measures for stray animals
  4. Information and education
  5. Multilateral consultations
  6. Amendments
  7. Final provisions

    Parties

As of June 2020, the Netherlands is the only state that has signed but not ratified the treaty yet.
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.