Essential Animal Information for France

Essential information and contacts on the following subjects is available below:

Veterinarians 

Sadly the laws of the Ordre des Vétérinaires prohibit AngloINFO from publishing a list of English speaking vets.  
The website of the Ordre des Vétérinaires of France has many useful links to animal nutritional suppliers, dog, cat and horse breeders and much more (in French).

Dog Vaccination 

No vaccination is compulsory for a dog living in France. However if a dog is travelling to a foreign country then it must be vaccinated against rabies; likewise all kennels (pensions) and most campsites insist on valid rabies vaccination. Show and competition dogs must also be inoculated. The majority of France is rabies free, however there have been cases of rabies since November 2007 and restrictions on the movement of dogs and cats not vaccinated against rabies may be in force.

• For more information from the Department of Agriculture: Click here (in French)

Vets recommend that all caring owners vaccinate their dogs. They should be vaccinated annually for the following:

• C - Carré (Distemper)
• H - Hépatite de Rubarth or hépatite contagieuse canine (infectious hepatitis)
• P - La Parvovirose (Parvovirus)
• L - La Leptospirose (Leptospirosis)
• R - La Rage (Rabies)
• PI - La toux de chenil Para-Influenza (Kennel Cough)

Regional: 

• Note: The Piroplasmose  parasite carried on certain ticks can kill a dog in as little as three days. The vaccination protects against this dangerous tick found in certain parts of France. If you will be travelling with your dog, consult your vet. 
• The Rabies injection is not always given, but must be if you plan to cross borders with your dog.

Note: Dogs moving to France from the UK may not have been injected against Kennel Cough. If you plan to board your dog in France, it would be wise to vaccinate against this.

Animal Organisations

30 Millions d'Amis is an excellent French Web site with useful information on laws and tips on animal ownership (all in French). Very useful contacts throughout France available in the searchable Annuaire.

The SPA France website (in French) has further useful information and general contacts (in French).

Other contacts: 

• Société Centrale Canine (S.C.C) Organisation for breed dogs in France
• Animal Services for general information relating to animals in France

Identification and Registration

Identification and registration by tattoo or microchip is compulsory in most instances for cats, dogs and ferrets in France. (Refer to article L. 214.5 of the code rural)

Dogs

• All dogs entering France from within or out side of the EU of it must be identified by tattoo or microchip
• All dogs in départements declared as having rabies must be identified (consult your vet)
• All dogs being bought or sold must be identified
• Note: The only exemption is in the case of a dog born before 6 January 1999 that has remained in France all its life with the same owner.

Cats

• All cats entering France from within or out side of the EU of it must be identified by tattoo or microchip
• All cats in départements declared as having rabies must be identified (consult your vet)
• All cats being bought or sold must be identified (kittens can be sold under the registration number of their mother)

Ferrets

• All ferrets entering France from within or out side of the EU of it must be identified by tattoo or microchip
• All ferrets in départements declared as having rabies must be identified (consult your vet)

General Laws

• Identification is compulsory for dogs (either tattoo in the ear or a microchip inserted beneath the skin)
• A certificate of sale and vet's "clean bill of health" must be issued by the seller to the buyer of an animal.
• The sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks old is banned.
• Public inspectors may enter business premises and animal transport vehicles if they feel that an animal may be in distress. 
• Public inspectors may also break into a vehicle parked in full sun if an animal's life is endangered, and in an emergency, they may order that an animal is removed to a shelter.
• There are heavy penalties for cruelty and mistreatment of an animal.

Buying, Selling and Giving Away a Pet

All dogs and cats being bought, sold or given away must be identified by microchip or tattoo. Puppies and kittens may be advertised for sale or give away under the identification number of their mother but must be issued with their own identification number before changing hands. 

The buyer of a pet dog or cat should receive:

• Identification tattoo (3 letters and 3 figures) or microchip number and registration card
• Contract or sales certificate which must show the full names and address of seller and buyer, the date of sale, price and the consulting vet

In addition for a pedigree animal:

• Birth certificate or pedigree:
• Vaccination book (not compulsory)
• Information booklet detailing tips on needs, features and training recommendations of the animal.

Animals Lost and Found

If you lose an animal

• Take action as quickly as possible
• Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area the animal was lost. 
• Put up notices (with a photograph of the pet, if possible) in the vets, Mairie and shops of the area it went missing. 
• Contact the local animal shelters in the area. 
• If your animal has a tattoo, contact:

The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) Tel: 01 49 37 54 54. 
The National Cat Register (Fichier National Félin) Tel: 01 44 93 30 30

If you find an animal

• Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area the animal was found supplying a full description and the tattoo number if the animal has one (usually stamped inside the ear or on the inner thigh)
• If the animal has a tattoo contact:

The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) Tel: 01 49 37 54 54. 
The National Cat Register (Fichier National Félin) Tel: 01 44 93 30 30.

These organisations have a records of the owner and will contact them giving them your contact details. 

• If the animal has no tattoo, or you are unable to look after it while the owner is found, take it to your local animal shelter.
• If you do this, make sure that the police, pompiers and vets know where you have taken the animal. 

Abused Animal, What to do

Assault, ill-treatment, abandonment, torture and neglect all constitute mistreatment and punishable by fine or imprisonment under French law. Conviction and sentencing is the jurisdiction of the Courts.

• Report what you have seen to the local police, Court authorities, or if there is one, at your local or animal protection organisation.
• Your complaint will be taken to the State prosecutor who will decide whether to lay charges.
• If you find the police unhelpful, you are entitled to write (giving full details) to the State prosecutor at the Tribunal de Grande Instance (Regional Court) in the area where the events took place. They may decide whether to order an investigation.

Taking your animal on holiday

• See Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to France, an AngloINFO INFOrmation Page

Up-to-date vaccinations, tattoo and a health certificate issued by your vet are compulsory to enter another country (including Corsica), and for visiting most French campsites, holiday resorts and hotels. Please consult your vet for full details.

Public transport

• Train: You will pay a supplement for your animal to travel in a basket, and half-fare if on a lead.
• Air: your animal may travel in a basket as hand-baggage (if small enough) or in the baggage hold on some airlines.
• Ship: the animal has to stay in the kennels or the hold

Boarding: Ask your vet for contact details of reliable dog-minders or kennels.

• Check with the Prefecture that the kennel/boarding facility is licensed.
• Pay a visit to make sure you are satisfied.
• Get a written agreement on dates and details from the kennel.
• Remember to provide instructions with any special medication or food your pet may need.
• Provide copies of tattoo identification and health certificate.
• Contact details where you can be reached (or the details of a friend) while away.
• For information on which beaches in Normandy allow dogs: Click here  

Dog Droppings

A law exists in Paris, requiring owners to pick up their dog dropping or risk being fined. This may well spread to other regions of France.

Dangerous Dogs: Legality of Attack and Guard Dogs

The law of 6 January 1999 relating to "dangerous and stray animals and to the protection of domestic animals" has been under debate with proposed changes to regulations announced in September 2007. 

Proposed reinforcements are: 

• Obligatory training of the owners or handlers and their dangerous dogs
• Veterinary certificate to be supplied when registering the dogs at the Mairie
• Increase in laws which permitting the euthanasia of problem dogs 
• Banning on any cross breeding which can lead to a dangerous dog
• Reinforcement of the control on importing category 2 dogs
• Prohibition on the possession of a category 1 dog born since the establishment of the law of 6 January 1999
• For further information on measures under discussion: Click here (PDF Projet de loi in French)

Dogs classed as dangerous

• Category 1: Attack dogs: Pitbull/American Staffordshire Terrier (without pedigree registration), Mastiff/Boerbull without pedigree registration, Tosa (without pedigree papers)
• Category 2: Guard dogs: Rottweiler (pedigreed), Staffordshire terrier (pedigreed), American Staffordshire Terrier (pedigreed), Tosa Inu (pedigree). These dogs must be registered with a pedigree which is recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Note: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smaller breed than other Staffordshire breeds, with no proven dangerous tendencies. It is not classified as a dangerous dog even though previous statements had (wrongly) included it.

• More information on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier under point "2": Click here (in French)

Owning a dangerous dog

A person may only own a dog on the list of "dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs" (chien susceptible d'être dangereux) under the following conditions:

• Must be aged 18 or older and if over 18 must not be under supervision
• Must not have been convicted of a crime or imprisoned
• Must not previously have had the right to own a dangerous dog withdrawn 

Responsibilities of the dog owner

The dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public places.

It is obligatory to register it at the Town Hall (Mairie). A form must be completed and submitted along with the following documents: 

• Proof of identification of the dog,
• Proof of valid anti-rabies inoculation
• Proof of third party public liability insurance for the owner or handler of the dog 

The registration forms can be downloaded online:

• Form for or a category 1 dog (CERFA 11459): Click here 
• Form for or a category 2 dog (CERFA 11461): Click here 

Additional provisions in owning a category 1 dog 

• Acquisition, sale, purchase and importing of these dogs is banned
• Sterilisation of male and female dogs is compulsory (must have a veterinary certificate to prove this)
• Access to public transport or public places is prohibited

Official information and forms

Much information is available from the French government:

• For information and forms to register a category dog: Click here (in French)
• For the rules on owning a dangerous dog: Click here (in French)
• The rules for owning an attack dog (specifically): Click here

Further Information

• 30 Millions d'Amis is an excellent French Web site with useful information on laws and tips on animal ownership (all in French). 
• SPA Société Protectrice des Animaux 
• Pet Threats, an AngloINFO INFOrmation Page
• Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to France, an AngloINFO INFOrmation Page

Thanks to Jilly Bennet of Pension Milou for information contributed.