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 2014, it has been ratified by 23 states, Netherlands have signed but not ratified the treaty:

Member countries of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals
Country Signed Ratified Entry into force
AustriaOctober 2, 1997August 10, 1999March 1, 2000
AzerbaijanOctober 22, 2003October 19, 2007May 1, 2008
BelgiumNovember 13, 1987December 20, 1991July 1, 1992
BulgariaMay 21, 2003July 20, 2004February 1, 2005
CyprusDecember 9, 1993December 9, 1993July 1, 1994
Czech RepublicJune 24, 1998September 23, 1998March 24, 1999
DenmarkNovember 13, 1987October 20, 1992May 1, 1993
FinlandDecember 2, 1991December 2, 1991July 1, 1992
FranceDecember 18, 1996October 3, 2003May 1, 2004
GermanyJune 21, 1988May 27, 1991May 1, 1992
GreeceNovember 13, 1987April 29, 1992November 1, 1992
ItalyNovember 13, 1987April 19, 2011November 1, 2011
LatviaMarch 1, 2010October 22, 2010May 1, 2011
LithuaniaSeptember 11, 2003May 19, 2004December 1, 2004
LuxembourgNovember 13, 1987October 25, 1991May 1, 1992
NetherlandsNovember 13, 1987  
NorwayNovember 13, 1987February 3, 1988May 1, 1992
PortugalNovember 13, 1987June 28, 1993January 1, 1994
RomaniaJune 23, 2003August 6, 2004March 1, 2005
SerbiaDecember 2, 2010December 2, 2010July 1, 2011
SwedenMarch 14, 1989March 14, 1989May 1, 1992
SwitzerlandNovember 13, 1990November 3, 1993June 1, 1994
TurkeyNovember 18, 1999November 28, 2003June 1, 2004
UkraineJuly 5, 2011January 9, 2014August 1, 2014
Countries in italics do allow tail docking.

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 ยง10: cropping of ears, removal of vocal cords, and declawing.

See also

References