Abstract. This analytical note examines the legal regulation of the breeding, keeping, commercial sale and non-commercial transfer of pets in a number of Member States of the European Union. It analyses these countries’ approaches to the registration, licensing and declaration of activities carried out by breeders and sellers of pets; the requirements for persons engaged in such activities; mechanisms for state control; liability for breaches of established rules; specific features of the regulation of non-commercial breeding; and legal mechanisms to ensure the humane treatment and protection of animal health during selection and breeding.

Keywords: pets, animal breeding, breeder, animal welfare, humane treatment of animals, commercial sale of animals, non-commercial animal breeding, animal selection, registration of breeders, licensing, state control, liability.

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06/2026