Essential Animal Information for France

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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. Pet owners travelling with a dog should consult a vet 
• The Rabies injection is not always given, but must be if owners intend to cross borders with a dog

Note: Dogs moving to France from the UK may not have been injected against Kennel Cough. An owner planning to board a dog in France is advised to vaccinate against this.

Identification and Registration

• More from website j'identifiermonanimal: Click here (in French)

Animals requiring ID

• All dogs, cats and ferrets entering France from within or outside of the EU of it must be identified by tattoo or microchip
• All dogs, cats and ferrets in départements declared as having rabies must be identified (consult a vet)
• All dogs and cats being bought or sold must be identified (kittens and puppies may be sold under the identification number of their mother)

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.

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). 
• The SPA France website (in French) has further useful information and general contacts (in French).
• For contact information of SPA refuges: Click here (this is not a complete list)
• For contact details of local refuges throughout France: Click here

Local Dordogne and Gironde animal organisations

The Association for the Protection of Abandoned Animals (Associations de Protection Animale de l'Aquitaine, APAA) has contact details for the animal shelters and animal protection organisations in Aquitaine.

• Aquitaine refuges: Click here
• SPA Bergerac (Sauvegarde et Protection des Animaux de la Dordogne et du Sud-Ouest) animal refuge/shelter
  At: Refuge SPA, Route de Sainte Alvère, Bergerac (24)
  Tel: 05 53 27 03 79 or 05 53 27 26 67
• SPA de Marsac/Périgeaux (Société Protectrice des animaux de Périgueux et de la Dordogne) animal refuge/shelter
  At: Le Sault du Chevalier, Marsac sur l'Isle (24)
  Tel: 05 53 04 16 54  or 05 53 04 16 54 (Monday to Saturday 10:30-12:00 and 14:30-18:30
  Open for visits: Monday to Saturday 14:30-18:30
  Website
• SOS Vie de Chiens
  At: Maison des Associations Place Jules Ferry, Bergerac (24)
  Tel: 05 53 58 01 88 
• SPA de Bordeaux animal refuge/shelter for cats and dogs
  At: 361 Avenue de l'Argonne, Mérignac Beutre (33)
  Tel: 05 56 34 18 43
  Open: Tuesday to Sunday 14:00-18:00 
  Website

Other contacts

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

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 a pet

The buyer should receive:

• Microchip identification number (or tattoo number of 3 letters and 3 figures) and an identity 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

All pet dogs and cats in France should be identified with a microchip (older ones may have a tattoo identification). Vets have the chip reading machine and can send out a notice to appropriate organisations on the identity number of pet dogs and cats lost or found in France. 

If an animal is lost:

Take action as quickly as possible:

If it is a dog, cat or ferret and can be identified by tattoo or microchip contact:

• The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) Tel: 01 49 37 54 54 
• The National Cat & Ferret Register (Fichier National Félin) Tel: 01 55 01 08 08 
  Website
• Notify the local vets in the area the animal disappeared. Also notify the police and pompiers
• 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 an animal is found:

• Take the animal to the local vet in the area the animal was found. The vet will read the microchip or identification and report the find to the appropriate organisations which have a records owners and will make contact 
• Alternately, take the animal to the local animal shelter.

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 has been witnessed to the local police, Court authorities, or if there is one, at the local or animal protection organisation
• A complaint will be taken to the State prosecutor who will decide whether to lay charges
• If a complainant finds the police unhelpful, they may write (giving full details) to the State prosecutor at the Tribunal de Grande Instance (Regional Court) in the area where the events took place. The court will decide whether to order an investigation

Taking an Animal on Holiday

Up-to-date vaccinations, identification 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. A vet will issue a EU Pet Passport for a dog or cat. This should be kept up-to-date with all relevant information on treatments and injections. 

• For more see the INFOrmation Page, Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to France

Public transport

• Train: a supplement may be charged for an animal to travel in a basket, and half-fare for a dog on lead (rules may vary; consult the service in question)
• Air: an animal may travel in a basket as hand-baggage (if small enough) or in the baggage hold on some airlines. Consult the airline for information
• Ship: the animal is required to stay in the kennels or the hold

Boarding

Ask a 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 it is satisfactory
• Get a written agreement on dates and details from the kennel
• Remember to provide instructions with any special medication or food a pet may need
• Provide copies of identification and health certificate
• Contact details (or the details of a friend) while away

Dog beaches

There are a number of beaches along the west coast of the Gironde area of France which are open to dogs. 

• For information from the SPA on beaches allowing dogs: Click here

Dog Droppings

A law exists in Paris, requiring owners to pick up their dog dropping or risk being fined. Most towns have bag dispensers and bins for dog droppings.

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 

• 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

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