Pet sales to be banned in pet stores?

In France, the National Assembly voted on 27 January in favour of prohibiting the sale of pets in pet stores and garden centres with effect from 1 January 2024, thereby reserving this right for animal shelters and breeders. Pet sales online are also to face more stringent regulation under the bill.
Countless daily newspapers in France reported on the draft bill as a ban on the sale of cats and dogs. In the debate held in the National Assembly, discussion was limited to dogs and cats, according to online platform Syndicat-Animaleries.org.
In the proposed amendment that must now be passed by the Senate, however, it says that "the transfer of dogs, cats and other pets, whether in return for payment or not, shall be prohibited in pet stores and at trade fairs, markets, flea markets, exhibitions and other events not dedicated specifically to animals". The ban would thus also apply to the sale of reptiles, small animals, birds and ornamental fish, for example.