Subject: Regulations

The Protection of Cats and Dogs in EU Law

The European Institute for Animal Law & Policy

Published in 2026

Publication of a book on the protection of dogs and cats under EU law

Document Types: Technical work

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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No mention of animal welfare in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals? But this may be a good thing!

Jacob Bull, Birte L. Nielsen, Anna Silvera, Håkan Tunon, Linda J. Keeling

Published in 2026

Opinion paper arguing that the absence of any reference to animal welfare in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals may not be detrimental, since it implies that animal welfare could be and should be anywhere and everywhere in the goals.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: All animals

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Sold a pup? Impact of purchasing practices, owner and dog demographics, and puppy early-life experiences on later canine health outcomes in the UK

Fiona C. Dale, Dan G. O’Neill, Claire L. Brand, Zoe Belshaw, Bree L. Merritt, Camilla L. Pegram, Rowena M. A. Packer

Published in 2026

Study showing that certain puppy breeding and purchasing practices, which are often illegal, are associated with a greater number of health problems in adulthood.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

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A Pig’s Tail: How Europe Is Moving Beyond Routine Tail Docking

The Animal Law Foundation

Published in 2026

Report analyzing why the docking of pigs' tails, while banned as a routine practice, remains common in the United Kingdom compared to other European countries

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

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The use of Diathermic Syncope® for stunning cattle – EFSA Opinion

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Anja B. Riber, Karl Stahl, Jan Arend Stegeman, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Frank Tuyttens, Virginie Michel, Christoph Winckler, Mohan Raj, Antonio Velarde, Alexei Vyssotski, Yves Van der Stede, Aikaterini Manakidou

Published in 2026

New EFSA opinion concluding that the Diathermic Syncope® (DTS) method for stunning cattle does not guarantee a level of welfare equivalent to that of methods that are currently permitted.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Chiens de race : l’esthétique peut-elle justifier la souffrance ?

Valérie Chansigaud

Published in 2026

Article recounting the history of the selection by breeders of animals with extreme body types and describing the health and welfare issues that result from this.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Welfare assessment of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) on farm

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Karl Stahl, Jutta Berk, Joanna Marchewka, Nienke van Staaveren, Oana Maria Balmos, Chiara Fabris, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Antonio Velarde, Anja Brinch Riber

Published in 2026

New EFSA scientific opinion identifyinh key welfare concerns for turkeys. To improve turkey welfare, the EFSA experts recommend increasing space allowances, implementing appropriate enrichment techniques, phasing out mutilations, and avoiding the practice of culling flocks.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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Animal welfare indicators and stress response of broiler chickens raised at low and high stocking density

Chan Ho Kim, Ki Hyun Kim, Ju Lan Chun, Se Jin Lim, Jung Hwan Jeon

Published in 2025

Study showing that lower stocking densities in broiler chickens improve welfare (drier litter, less foot dermatitis, lower corticosterone) and feed efficiency, despite slightly lower feed intake and body weight.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.4: Transport of Animals by Air

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Section 7: Animal Welfare. Chapter 7.3: Transport of Animals by Land

WOAH

Published in 1982

Code sanitaire de l’OMSA pour les animaux terrestres pour le transport par voie maritime

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Mammals, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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