24 Υπογραφές
Η αναφορά απευθύνεται σε: European Commission – Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE). + Members of the European Parliament (Animal Welfare Committee)
We call for a modernization of EU regulations concerning the adoption of animals from third countries
At present, it is extremely difficult to legally adopt animals from so-called “non-listed third countries” such as Morocco, Turkey, or India – even when they are microchipped, fully vaccinated, healthy, and have found adopters. The reason is a regulatory framework that was well-intentioned, but is no longer up to date.
📋 What’s the problem?
Current EU regulations require, for example:
– rigid country lists (“listed” vs. “non-listed”), regardless of the individual animal’s health status
– expensive and time-consuming rabies antibody tests (titer tests)
– long mandatory waiting periods
– no distinction between rescued animals and animals from commercial pet trade
These rules were originally introduced to protect public health – but they were created at a time when vaccines were less reliable and digital veterinary records did not yet exist.
Today, these rules often prevent:
– legal and safe adoptions
– and instead encourage informal or even illegal alternatives
🔬 What has changed since then?
– Modern rabies vaccines produce a reliable immune response in over 99% of animals
– Certified veterinarians, shelters, and digital documentation can accurately confirm health status
– Other countries such as the USA, Canada, and even Australia (with restrictions) already demonstrate that structured, risk-based systems work – without excluding animals by default
📣 What do we propose?
We don’t claim to have the perfect solution – but we believe there is clearly a better one.
We are calling for:
– a differentiated evaluation based on health status, not only country of origin
– recognition of certified animal welfare organizations abroad
– digital proof of vaccination and veterinary care
– structured quarantine or fast-track processes instead of months-long delays
– a clear legal distinction between humanitarian rescue and commercial pet trade
🚀 The EU can do better.
It is absolutely possible to protect public health and show compassion at the same time.
The current framework is not just outdated – it also conflicts with core European values of animal welfare and responsible action.
Αιτιολόγηση
I have personally been involved in adopting animals from countries like Morocco – and I’ve seen firsthand how difficult, frustrating, and emotionally exhausting the process can be. Even when everything is done correctly, with proper documentation and full medical records, the system quickly runs into rigid procedures and bureaucratic obstacles.
At the same time, countless animals – healthy, vaccinated, and microchipped – are waiting in shelters or on the streets for months, even though they could be adopted. The reason: outdated EU regulations that classify entire countries as “high risk” and leave no room for evaluating individual, well-documented cases.
But many conditions have changed since these rules were first introduced:
– Rabies vaccines are now highly effective and internationally standardized
– Antibody (titer) tests are accurate but expensive and not always accessible
– Digital documentation, licensed veterinarians and certified shelters can provide clear, traceable proof of health
We’re not questioning the need for safety.
But safety can also be organized intelligently.
Countries like Canada and the U.S. already allow adoptions from so-called high-risk countries – provided documentation is reliable and the process is clearly regulated. They distinguish between illegal trade and legitimate rescue.
What we’re asking for is not deregulation – but modernization.
A system that rewards responsibility, recognizes documented cases, and stops blocking what is already medically manageable.
We don’t claim to have the perfect answer.
But we believe it’s time to start designing a better one.
Στοιχεία για το ψήφισμα
Η αναφορά ξεκίνησε:
14/06/2025
Λήξη συλλογής:
13/12/2025
Περιοχή:
Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση
Κατηγορία:
Δικαιώματα των ζώων
Συζήτηση
Γιατί υπογράφουν οι άνθρωποι
Animals are desperate to be loved in any country if they can find a forever family anywhere to give them that chance
Εργαλεία για τη διάδοση της αναφοράς.
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Give animals from third countries to live in the EU countries.