Case and animal numbers have risen again
Bonn. The illegal pet trade remains a serious problem. According to a current evaluation by the German Animal Welfare Association, at least 2,250 animals were discovered in 257 cases last year. In most cases, dogs were traded illegally. However, the actual number is likely to be much higher because many cases remain undetected. Compared to the previous year, the number of cases and the number of illegally traded animals have increased again – and with it the suffering of the animals, which are often bred under conditions that violate animal welfare and are often far too young and therefore transported illegally.
“The unscrupulous trade in dogs and cats continues unabated. After the record numbers during the corona pandemic and a decline after the pandemic, we are currently observing an increasing trend again. In addition, many wild animals of various species are also being transported illegally,” explains Dr. Romy Zeller, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Association. The association is calling for a ban on online trading in animals, or at least stricter legal requirements. For example, retailers should have to prove their identity and portal operators should check advertisements before they are activated. An EU-wide mandatory labeling and registration of dogs and cats, through which the origin of the animals can be better traced, was recently decided by the EU Parliament as part of the regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability and was assessed by the German Animal Welfare Association as an important measure in the fight against the puppy trade.
Pedigree animals in particular in focus
The 598 dogs that were victims of illegal trade in 2025 were often pedigree dogs such as Pomeranians, Maltese or Poodles. In addition to the dogs, 56 cats and 1,596 animals of other species – tortoises, tarantulas, koi carp, various species of birds and mammals such as six monkeys, two zebras, a serval and an antelope – were affected by the illegal trade. Most cases were discovered in Bavaria, Saxony and Hamburg. The animals came predominantly from Romania and Bulgaria, with Romania being the most common country of origin for the tenth time in a row.
The burden on animal shelters continues to grow
The already overcrowded animal shelters are also reaching their financial limits due to illegal trade. Because the animals are often seriously ill, animal shelters incur high costs for intensive veterinary care. The German Animal Welfare Association sees the Federal Government as having a duty. This had announced financial aid for animal shelters in its coalition agreement, but no money is earmarked for animal shelters in the federal budget for 2026.
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