News | Eurogroup for Animals

Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2022 caused a myriad of challenges worldwide, but it also provided valuable lessons by highlighting what is missing for animals in the event of a disaster. Today, animals are not legally protected in disasters at EU level, although they play a vital role in people’s lives for economic and health reasons.

New report explains urgent need to protect animals in disasters

31 January 2023

FOUR PAWS conducted the first ever survey in Ukraine on the welfare of companion animals during the war, to help mobilise support for shelters and volunteers in the country. 670 respondents took part in the survey, which revealed that the biggest problems are abandonment of pets, unsterilised animals living on the streets, and a lack of food for pets, strays and shelter animals.

New data reveals over 150,000 cats and dogs need humanitarian aid in Ukraine

11 November 2022

On the 19th of October 2022, the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Digital Services Act (DSA), a precious tool to tackle the illegal online trade. But what does it mean concretely for the animals victim of this trade?

Digital Services Act: how does it protect animals from the illegal online trade?

3 November 2022

Flat-faced dog breeds, such as the pug and the French bulldog, have been overbred to such an extent that they face lifelong suffering caused by a myriad of physical and genetic conditions. Many of these animals are chronically short of breath, suffer from eye diseases, inflammation of the skin, and hernias. Often their owners have been ill-informed and are presented with unexpected high bills for medical treatments. Veterinarians and animal welfare organisation warn in the strongest terms: don’t buy a flat-faced dog!

Dutch veterinarians and animal welfare organisations call for emergency action: Don’t buy a flat-faced dog

5 September 2022

Deutscher Tierschutzbund continues to support its animal welfare centre in Odesa, Ukraine, which proved its resilience to the war. The centre continues its work with staff members neutering stray animals and providing aid to the wounded.

Animal welfare centre resilience in Ukraine, regardless of the war

2 September 2022

Deutscher Tierschutzbund

UPAW (Ukrainian Pet Association Worldwide) was created on the first day of the war in Ukraine, in partnership with Animals ID, Dogs Trust Worldwide and Four Paws. It is a logistical platform that unites and coordinates the efforts of 18 Ukrainian animal welfare organisations.

640,000kg of pet food distributed in Ukraine by UPAW

The European Commission and the EU/EFTA countries agreed to launch an EU enforcement action to tackle the illegal trade of pets on 1 July, in response to increasing reports of illegal activity from Member States.

EU enforcement action to tackle illegal trade of pets launched

On Saturday 2 July, the Lëtzebuerger Déiereschutzliga (the National League for the Protection of Animals, LNPA) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the opening of its shelter in Gasperich, during a festive evening in Mondorf Les Bains which gathered members and supporters.

Lëtzebuerger Déiereschutzliga (LNPA): 10th anniversary of the opening of its shelter in Gasperich

On International Women’s Day, the European Commission released its proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Eurogroup for Animals welcomes this initiative as an important step to achieve gender-equality and put an end to all abuses. However, we are concerned by the lack of consideration and measures to address abuse towards companion animals as victims and instruments of these violence.

New proposal on domestic violence is insufficient to guarantee safety of victims and their animals

As investigated by Eurogroup for Animals’ member, Four Paws, every year over 10 million dogs and cats are killed for their meat in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam hosting the most robust dog meat trade in the region.

The dog and cat meat trade: Interview with MEP Petras Auštrevičius

18 February 2022

On 20 January 2022, the European Parliament adopted its position at First Reading on the Digital Services Act. Once the Council has adopted it's General Approach, trialogue negotiations between the co-legislators and the European Commission will begin.

Digital Services Act: if not for the animals, do it for the money

21 January 2022

Last week colleagues from our political team went on a mission to Ireland to visit our Irish Members the DSPCA and the USPCA, and also met with the head of the Animal Welfare Unit in the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine.

Mission to Ireland

11 November 2021

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