Greece

Greece

Identification and Registration Dogs

Cats

Since 1st June 2004 it is compulsory for dogs to be identified with a microchip as soon as possible after birth.

Under Law 4039/2012 it is now also compulsory for cats to be permanently identified with a microchip and to register them in the central database.

Dogs must also be registered in the central database. The Hellenic Veterinary Association manages the database and is responsible for updating it. However, it should be noted that at the time of writing this database was not operating properly. There is no Greek member of Europetnet, so the database is not linked to an EU database.

www.dogandcatwelfare.eu

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EU DOG & CAT ALLIANCE

Regulation of dog and cat breeders Dog and cat breeders must have a licence issued by the competent authority (the Directorate General of Agriculture and Veterinary Practice) of the region in which they are located. The breeding establishment must be subject to the surveillance of this authority. A licence is needed when more than two females are bred, or more than two litters per year are produced in the breeding establishment. For every breeding female, records must be kept.

Requirements for breeding dogs Female dogs cannot be used for breeding before their second reproductive cycle. A minimum period of 9 months must be allowed between giving birth and the next pregnancy. Reproduction is also prohibited after animals are 9 years old. Requirements for breeding cats There are no specific requirements for cats. Cat breeders must comply with the general rules for breeding establishments. Regulation of dog and cat traders

Breeding establishments must comply with the rules on animal welfare, safety rules and rules on providing adequate veterinary care. Breeding dogs and cats must have a health passport, be microchipped and registered on the central registration database mentioned above. Breeders should be inspected before the licence is granted. Inspections must be carried out regularly. However, at the time of writing no competent authority had been assigned the task of inspecting breeding establishments. Animals whose anatomical and physiological characteristics or behavioural attributes may, depending on the species and breed, prove to be harmful for the health and well-being of the breeding female and her offspring are not allowed to be selected for breeding purposes. According to the legislation, the determination of harmful characteristics is done by decision of the Minister of Rural Development and Food. However, this determination has not yet been done. The competent authorities must organize training seminars and informative and educational media programmes for individuals who possess a companion animal and people engaged in breeding, education, trade and keeping of those animals as well as informing local communities and groups about the provisions concerning the protection of animals. There is no database to record licensed breeders.

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Commercial traders need a licence to sell companion animals. The conditions to get the licence are the same as for commercial breeders (see above). However no controlling authority had been designated at the time of writing. Cats and dogs can be sold on the internet. When advertised on the internet, the advert must provide the animals’ microchip numbers. Cats and dogs can be sold in pet shops, but the law specifically prohibits the sale of pets at outdoor markets and in the street and outdoor public places. The sale of puppies and kittens of less than 8 weeks of age is not allowed. The minimum age at which a person can buy a cat or a dog is 18 years old. Law 4039/2012 includes some provisions concerning the transport of companion animals with their owners: animals must be placed in secure transport cages and accompanied by the owner. Guide dogs can be transported without a transport cage and regardless of their size as long as they bear a muzzle and leash. Passenger ships must have clean cages, protected from adverse weather conditions, for the transport of large pets. Commercial transport must comply with the rule of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and the EU rules on pet movements.


Concerning education and training of commercial traders, as for breeders the competent authorities must organise training sessions. However it is not an obligation for traders to attend or to have a certain level of education to get a licence. In addition, no inspection is conducted before traders get their authorisation. Surgical mutilations The Greek law specifically prohibits surgical mutilations in general, making tail docking, ear cropping, devocalisation and declawing illegal.

Links to legislation Law 4039/2012: http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wEbA_BZxkczbHdtvSoClrL8su aQnuDva5rtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6hq6ZkZV96FI9xO8ZeZP5drT6s6lp3RoXpz7gn ZXzX6x_-h0e3ioZEs. Amendment 2014 to law 4039/2012 (law 4235/2014): http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/pdfimageSummaryviewer.html?args=sppFfdN7IQP5_cc--m0e1y6LMIuijLT1m xP6vVD5VzW8rzSZFxgk-VB8R6Mtn1LDkAYi3ORfmaqS1aSSEa7ywXkxcPQvNBMtY9T3IvMHxXpABIQE1JC W9FiNMrQQT-Ek_FKlm_8xYoyk3o71APArH_XAzPhn8pPXisiltSKHvMRmiMLmd8ytuw..


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