16/12/2025
France cracks down hard on pet abandonment and calls it animal cruelty 🐾
France has taken one of the strongest animal welfare steps in Europe by making pet abandonment a serious criminal offense. Under the new law, abandoning a dog, cat, or any domestic animal can lead to up to three years in prison and fines reaching €45,000. If abandonment results in the animal’s death, punishment increases to five years in prison and €75,000 in fines. The law directly targets a long standing problem that peaks during holiday seasons.
For years, tens of thousands of pets were dumped annually across France, often left on roadsides or outside shelters. Lawmakers now officially recognize abandonment as animal cruelty, not neglect or inconvenience. This legal shift changes how society views pet ownership, sending a clear message that animals are not disposable when life gets busy or plans change.
Alongside harsher penalties, France banned the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops and introduced a mandatory certificate of commitment before adopting a pet. Authorities say these steps aim to reduce impulse buying and long term suffering. The law reframes pet ownership as a lifelong responsibility, not a temporary choice, setting an example other nations are now watching closely.
References:
BBC News, France Toughens Laws Against Pet Abandonment
The Guardian, France Introduces Strict Animal Welfare Reforms
Reuters, France Bans Pet Shop Sales and Criminalizes Abandonment
French Ministry of Agriculture, New Animal Protection Legislation