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 May 1, 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.

Member countries of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals

Country	Signed	Ratified	Entry into force
Austria	October 2, 1997	August 10, 1999	March 1, 2000
Azerbaijan	October 22, 2003
Belgium	November 13, 1987	December 20, 1991	July 1, 1992
Bulgaria	May 21, 2003	July 20, 2004	February 1, 2005
Cyprus	December 9, 1993	December 9, 1993	July 1, 1994
Czech Republic	June 24, 1998	September 23, 1998	March 24, 1999
Denmark	November 13, 1987	October 20, 1992	May 1, 1993
Finland	December 2, 1991	December 2, 1991	July 1, 1992
France	December 18, 1996	October 3, 2003	May 1, 2004
Germany	June 21, 1988	May 27, 1991	May 1, 1992
Greece	November 13, 1987	April 29, 1992	November 1, 1992
Italy	November 13, 1987
Lithuania	September 11, 2003	May 19, 2004	December 1, 2004
Luxembourg	November 13, 1987	October 25, 1991	May 1, 1992
Netherlands	November 13, 1987
Norway	November 13, 1987	February 3, 1988	May 1, 1992
Portugal	November 13, 1987	June 28, 1993	January 1, 1994
Romania	June 23, 2003	August 6, 2004	March 1, 2005
Sweden	March 14, 1989	March 14, 1989	May 1, 1992
Switzerland	November 13, 1990	November 3, 1993	June 1, 1994
Turkey	November 18, 1999	November 28, 2003	June 1, 2004
Countries in italics do allow tail docking.

Several countries (such as France and the United Kingdom) did not sign or ratify the treaty due to concerns by dog breeding associations who opposed the treaty's ban on tail docking (§10.1(a)) and on the cropping of ears (§10.1(b)). 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 made any reservations regarding the other cosmetic surgeries prohibited by §10: cropping of ears, removal of vocal cords, and declawing.

[edit] See also

• Animal law
• Cruelty to animals

[edit] References

• European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.
• Additional info on the treaty from the official Council of Europe web site.