Document type : written answer published in the Journal officiel du Sénat
Authors: question: Edouard Courtial (Oise, les Répbulicains). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
Question: Mr. Édouard Courtial draws the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty to the issue of dog abandonment. Some dogs are abandoned by their owners shortly after being adopted. In such cases, it would be useful to allow the dog to be returned to the breeder who supervised its birth, rather than to the French animal protection society (SPA) or other associations, so that it could receive the care most appropriate to it. This clause could be inserted as part of the sales contract for dogs. On the one hand, this would prevent a practice that is becoming more and more widespread, whereby unscrupulous people collect these dogs, sometimes without even having seen them, with the sole aim of reselling them and putting in no work with the animal to help it find a suitable home. Furthermore, it would have the effect of relieving the pressure on shelters that are overwhelmed. He therefore asks whether the minister would be in favor of such a development.
Answer: Reducing pet abandonment is a priority objective in the fight against pet abuse. A plan to combat pet abandonment was launched in December 2020. Numerous actions have been undertaken in recent years, including changes to the legislative and regulatory framework following the adoption of Law no. 2021-1539 of November 30, 2021 aimed at combating animal abuse and strengthening the bond between animals and people. The adoption of this law has already made it possible to toughen penalties for abandonment or any other act of animal abuse. Raising the awareness of new pet owners is one of the most important actions in the fight against abandonment. This is why it is now compulsory for all new pet buyers to present a signed certificate of commitment and knowledge to the seller. The aim is to reduce the risk of ill-considered adoption, which all too often leads to abandonment. Additionally, since July 1, 2023, the regulatory procedure for online advertisements of pets for sale or donation has been gradually put in place. The main aim is to combat animal trafficking, which also lies at the root of many abandonments. Providing those who take on pets with the opportunity to return their pet to the breeder would not appear to further the objective of making buyers more responsible. What is more, the question of the animal's future remains unanswered, since the core activity of a breeder is to bring young animals into the world, raise them in good conditions and sell them when properly weaned and familiarised with humans. Animal protection associations are in the best position to take care of abandoned animals. To support these associations and enable them to take in such animals in the best possible way, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has piloted a wide-ranging funding scheme for associations under the French Recovery Plan. A total of 35 million euros (Meuros) has been earmarked to combat animal abandonment and improve the conditions under which animals are taken in and cared for. 29 Meuros were allocated directly to animal protection associations that look after abandoned animals, to enable them to expand or renovate their shelters, or to conduct sterilization campaigns for stray cats and dogs, in partnership with local councils. Further, to optimize the work of these associations, aid is allocated to national animal protection associations, which have been entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture with the task of training and raising awareness among local associations. The Recovery Plan has also made it possible to finance animal care for the poor and homeless. Last, in 2021, the first Observatory for the protection of domestic carnivores (OCAD) was set up, with a steering committee that includes all those involved in the pet industry, including associations, professionals, scientists and national and local authority representatives. OCAD's mission is to issue recommendations on public policy, and it has identified the fight against abandonment as a priority area for action. OCAD's initial publications can be consulted on the website of the French Ministry of Agriculture (https://agriculture.gouv.fr/lobservatoire-de-la-protection-des-carnivores-domestiques-ocad).
