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 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)

Additional suggested vaccinations: 

• 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 travelling with a dog to other areas of France, consult a vet. 
• The Rabies vaccine is not always administered, but if the animal will be travelling outside of France it may be required.

Note: Dogs moving to France from the UK may not have been vaccinated against Kennel Cough. If a dog will be boarded in France, it is suggested to vaccinate against this.

Animal Organisations

• 30 Millions d'Amis is an excellent French website 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.
  • For SPA refuges in the Midi-Pyrénées area: Click here
• Les Amis des Chats is a non-profit organisation in Tarn-et-Garonne (82) that shelters and re-homes cats. The website includes practical information (in English) on cat health and welfare, as well as cat travel.

Other contacts: 

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

Dog refuges and shelters in the Midi-Pyrénées

Pet animals can be bought from a refuge/shelter, many of these are SPAs (Société Protectrice des Animaux), a Society for the Protection of Animals. 

In order to buy a pet, proof of identity and proof of address (EDF bill or similar) is required along with payment. Most refuges allow a one month trial period during which the animal can be returned. Some also send an inspector to visit the animal's new home during the first month.

For contact details of some refuges throughout France see website Protection des Animaux (select link "Refuges").

• Société Protectrice des Animaux du Gers (SPA)
  At: "Au Mouréous", Route de Pessan, Auch (32) 
  Open: Monday to Saturday 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 (English is spoken)
  Tel: 05 62 05 15 90 
  Fax: 05 62 05 63 27 
  e-mail 
  Website 
• Chenil Aussillon
  At: ZI la Rougearié, Aussillon (81)
  Tel: 05 63 98 25 68 
  e-mail 
  Website
• Association Castraise de Protection des Animaux (ACPA) Chenil Municipal
  At: 4 Chemin des Pauvres, Castres (81) (see the website under "nous contacter" for a map)
  Open: Daily except Sunday and holidays 09:00-11:30, 15:00-17:30
  Tel: 05 63 72 07 66
  Website

General Laws

• Identification by tattoo or microchip is compulsory for dogs in France
• 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

When purchasing a pet, the owner should ensure the animal has an identification tattoo (3 letters and 3 figures) or microchip number and ID card.

The contract or sales certificate must show the full names and address of seller and buyer, the date of sale, price and the consulting vet.

In addition, the following should accompany a pedigreed 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 a pet is lost:

• Take action as quickly as possible
• Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area in which the animal was lost
• Put up notices (with a photograph of the pet, if possible) in the vets, Mairie and shops in the area in which it went missing. 
• Contact the local animal shelters in the area
• Notify the local fourrières (dog pounds)

• For dogs: The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) 
  Tel: 01 49 37 54 54
• For cats: The National Cat Register (Fichier National Félin) 
  Tel: 01 44 93 30 30

If an animal is found:

• Notify the local police, pompiers and vets in the area in which 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:

• For dogs: The National Dog Register (Fichier National Canin) 
  Tel: 01 49 37 54 54
• For cats: The National Cat Register (Fichier National Félin) 
  Tel: 01 44 93 30 30

These organisations should have a record of the owner and will contact them giving them the finder's contact details. 

• If the animal has no tattoo, or the finder is unable to look after it while the owner is found, take it to a local animal shelter
• If the animal is taken to a shelter, make sure that the police, pompiers and vets know where it has gone

If an injured wild animal is found, it may be brought to the Wild Animal Clinic at the Ecole Nationale Veterinaire Toulouse (National Veterinary School). They will accept animals at no cost. 

• École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse
  At: 23 Chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076 Toulouse Cedex 3 
  Tel: 05 61 19 32 78

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 seen to the local police, Court authorities, or if there is one, at the local or animal protection organisation.
• The complaint will be taken to the State prosecutor who will decide whether to press charges.
• If the police are unhelpful, the complaintant is 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 An Animal on Holiday

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

• For further information, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to France

Taking pets on public transport

• Train: A supplement is payable for an animal to travel in a basket, and half-fare if on a lead.
• Air: an 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 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 the facilities are in good condition.
• Get a written agreement on dates and details from the kennel.
• Provide instructions with any special medication or food the pet may need.
• Provide copies of tattoo identification and health certificates.
• Leave contact details for where the owner (or a guardian) can be reached while away.

Dog Droppings

A law exists in some parts of France requiring owners to pick up their dog dropping or risk being fined. 

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

Related Information

• 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 on this page of Adresses Practiques
• French Animal Rights League
• SPA Société Protectrice des Animaux 
• Pet Threats, an AngloINFO INFOrmation Page
• Pet Travel & Moving with Animals to France, an AngloINFO INFOrmation Page

With contributions by Jilly Bennet of Pension Milou