France: dog or cat, what the law says

Where to find a dog or cat

You can buy a dog or cat from a breeder or a seller, or adopt it from an animal protection association or foundation. An individual can only sell an adult animal, and only occasionally: if they keep the mother and sell the young, they are automatically considered a breeder. Selling in pet shops has been banned since January 1, 2024.

A breeder is listed in the Sirene register, with a Siret number, or, for pedigree dogs and cats entered in stud books, declares each litter: you check the LOF or LOOF litter number online. Online, only ads marked “verified ad” offer this guarantee.

The commitment certificate: 7 days to think

Before acquiring any dog, cat, ferret, rabbit or equine, you must sign a certificate of commitment and knowledge of the species’ needs, with a statement written in your own hand. It is issued by someone holding the Acaced or an equivalent, for example a vet.

It sets out the animal’s physiological, behavioral and medical needs and what that means in money and organization throughout its life. It is only valid for 7 days after it is issued: that is the time to let you think. The seller must check that you signed it at least 7 days earlier; not making sure of the signature is punished by a €450 fine.

What the seller must do and give you

The puppy or kitten must be at least 8 weeks old: younger, it is separated too early from its mother. The animal is identified, by microchip or tattoo, before being handed over, by the seller and at their expense, in the national I-Cad register. The seller gives you:

• a transfer certificate;
• a vet certificate under 3 months old, with the identification, vaccinations and, for a pedigree animal, the birth declaration to the stud book;
• the document proving the identification;
• an information document on the animal’s needs.

Everyday life: shelter, leash, roaming

An animal is a sentient being: suitable food, clean water at all times, shelter from bad weather. A dog in an enclosure has at least 5 m², with a shaded area; tied, never before adulthood and with a chain of at least 2.50 m. It is forbidden to shut an animal in a car trunk without effective ventilation.

The dog must be kept on a leash if it is dangerous and where the departmental health regulation or the mayor requires it; in forests, off the paths, from April 15 to June 30. A dog roams if it is out of earshot or more than 100 meters from its owner; a cat roams if it is not identified and more than 200 meters from homes, or more than 1,000 meters from home without supervision.

Liability and insurance

You are liable for the damage your animal causes, whether it is in your care or has strayed. No insurance is compulsory, except for category 1 and 2 dogs, with a €450 fine without insurance. In practice, comprehensive home insurance or car insurance generally includes the civil liability that covers an animal’s damage.

If the animal gets lost

Declare the loss to the I-Cad, in your keeper account, with the animal’s identification number: vets, pounds and associations are alerted. Also tell the town hall. A dog or cat found roaming is kept at the pound for 8 working days; after that it is considered abandoned and belongs to the operator. You get it back by paying the boarding costs.

The fines to know

• €150: letting your dog roam;
• €450: handing over an animal without making sure the commitment certificate was signed, or keeping a category 1 or 2 dog without insurance;
• €750: leaving your animal’s droppings on the public road, or, for a website, publishing animal ads without following the rules.