# 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 February 2025, it has been ratified by 27 states (most recently by Moldavia 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 Animals :
| Country | Signed | Ratified | Entry into force |
| Andorra | 28 January 2022 | 19 October 2022 | 1 May 2023 |
| Austria | 2 October 1997 | 10 August 1999 | 1 March 2000 |
| Azerbaijan | 22 October 2003 | 19 October 2007 | 1 May 2008 |
| Belgium | 13 November 1987 | 20 December 1991 | 1 July 1992 |
| Bulgaria | 21 May 2003 | 20 July 2004 | 1 February 2005 |
| Cyprus | 9 December 1993 | 9 December 1993 | 1 July 1994 |
| Czech Republic | 24 June 1998 | 23 September 1998 | 1 April 1999 |
| Denmark* | 13 November 1987 | 20 October 1992 | 1 May 1993 |
| Finland | 2 December 1991 | 2 December 1991 | 1 July 1992 |
| France | 18 December 1996 | 3 October 2003 | 1 May 2004 |
| Germany | 21 June 1988 | 27 May 1991 | 1 May 1992 |
| Greece | 13 November 1987 | 29 April 1992 | 1 November 1992 |
| Italy | 13 November 1987 | 19 April 2011 | 1 November 2011 |
| Latvia | 1 March 2010 | 22 October 2010 | 1 May 2011 |
| Lithuania | 11 September 2003 | 19 May 2004 | 1 December 2004 |
| Luxembourg | 13 November 1987 | 25 October 1991 | 1 May 1992 |
| Netherlands | 13 November 1987 | 15 December 2022 | 1 July 2023 |
| Norway | 13 November 1987 | 3 February 1988 | 1 May 1992 |
| Portugal | 13 November 1987 | 28 June 1993 | 1 January 1994 |
| Republic of Moldova | 13 September 2024 | 26 February 2025 | 1 September 2025 |
| Romania | 23 June 2003 | 6 August 2004 | 1 March 2005 |
| Serbia | 2 December 2010 | 2 December 2010 | 1 July 2011 |
| Spain | 9 October 2015 | 29 July 2017 | 1 February 2018 |
| Sweden | 14 March 1989 | 14 March 1989 | 1 May 1992 |
| Switzerland | 13 November 1990 | 3 November 1993 | 1 June 1994 |
| Turkey | 18 November 1999 | 28 November 2003 | 1 June 2004 |
| Ukraine | 5 July 2011 | 9 January 2014 | 1 August 2014 |
| Countries 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.