Pets and biodiversity: modest EU law changes could reduce harm

EU pet numbers rose to about 340 million, mostly cats and dogs, and free-roaming or feral pets—particularly cats—are linked to negative effects on native wildlife; EU environmental rules and emerging animal welfare laws leave a regulatory gap, and how that gap will be addressed is undetermined at this time.

Pet ownership in the EU has grown substantially, reaching roughly 340 million animals, with cats and dogs the most common. This rise has heightened attention to animal welfare while coinciding with broader concerns about falling wildlife numbers. The differing histories and goals of environmental and companion animal laws have created tension over how to manage interactions between pets and wild species. Key points: - The EU has strong environmental directives that protect wild species, while companion animal welfare law is more recent, creating a regulatory gap. - Feral and free-roaming pets, especially domestic cats, are reported to exert pressure on native birds and small vertebrates and are cited as a significant conservation concern. - Management approaches vary across member states, and there is public sensitivity around charismatic escaped species and certain control measures. Summary: Rising pet populations are associated with measurable pressures on wildlife, and current legal frameworks leave some conflicts unresolved. How the EU will adjust laws or coordinate member states to address these issues is undetermined at this time.