Scientific and technical assistance on welfare aspects related to housing and health of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments

Denise Candiani, Julien Drewe, Björn Forkman, Mette S. Herskin, Ann Van Soom, Gizella Aboagye, Sean Ashe, Maria Mountricha, Yves Van der Stede, Chiara Fabris, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

This Scientific Report addresses a mandate from the European Commission according to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 on the welfare of cats and dogs in commercial breeding establishments kept for sport, hunting and companion purposes. The aim was to scrutinise recent recommendations made by the EU Platform on Animal Welfare Voluntary Initiative on measures to assist the preparation of policy options for the legal framework of commercial breeding of cats and dogs. Specifically, the main question addressed was if there is scientific evidence to support the measures for protection of cats and dogs in commercial breeding related to housing, health considerations and painful procedures. Three judgements were carried out based on scientific literature reviews and, where possible a review of national regulations. The first judgement addressed housing and included: type of accommodation, outdoor access, exercise, social behaviour, housing temperature and light requirements. The second judgement addressed health and included: age at first and last breeding, and breeding frequency. Judgement 3 addressed painful procedures (mutilations or convenience surgeries) and included: ear cropping, tail docking and vocal cord resections in dogs and declawing in cats. For each of these judgements, considerations were provided indicating where scientific literature is available to support recommendations on providing or avoiding specific housing, health or painful surgical interventions. Areas where evidence is lacking are indicated.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere08213
JournalEFSA Journal
Volume21
Issue number9
Number of pages105
ISSN1831-4732
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
EFSA wishes to thank the hearing expert Thea van Niekerk for the support provided to this scientific output. EFSA wishes to thank Barbara Padalino, Martina Zappaterra, Martina Felici and Naod Thomas Masebo (Department of agricultural and food sciences -Division of animal sciences- University of Bologna) for the preparatory work provided under the framework of GP/EFSA/ALPHA/2021/10.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.

Keywords

  • animal welfare
  • cats
  • commercial breeding
  • dogs
  • health
  • housing
  • painful procedures

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