Particularly many dogs and cats in Saxony, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria
Hamburg. From January to the end of March 2025, the Global Foundation for Animal Welfare was able to note 149 illegally traded dog and cat puppies in 22 cases. A particularly large number of animals were in Saxony (48 animals), Baden-Württemberg (23 animals) and Bavaria (22 animals) taken up. From January to the end of March, 56 reports on illegal puppy trade have also been received by the four paws report.
“149 illegal puppies within the first three months of 2025 – that is 149 too much. There are unimaginable suffering behind each animal discovered. It must be assumed that the cases listed and counted by four paws are only the tip of the iceberg.
The main sales channel for illegal puppy dealers are still online platforms and social media. In order to finally be able to combat illegal puppy trade, all dogs and cats urgently need to be identifiable and registered with a microchip. Before the publication of an online sales indicator, it must be checked whether the dogs and cats are really registered for the advertisers. This is the only way to protect every dog and cat – and thus also their future owners – from illegal animal dealers from the EU, ”says Birgitt Thiesmann, expert illegal puppy trade at four paws.
Particularly popular: small breeds and so-called “designer dogs”
Small dog breeds such as Pomeranians, French bulldogs or Maltese are still particularly popular in illegal puppy trade. Such so -called route is often offered online at the same prices as animals from reputable breeders.
“It is striking that more and more of the so-called designer dogs play a role in the illegal puppy trade: Poodle mixtures such as maltipoos or Labradoodles are becoming increasingly popular. Illegal dealers are now also calling on top prices of up to 3,300 euros for an animal-and even without papers,” said Birgitt Thiesmann from four paws. Cocks of the British shorthair breed are particularly popular in illegal cat trade.
Four paws reporting tool: 56 reports as early as the first quarter of 2025
Within the first quarter of 2025, four paws have already received 56 reports on suspected cases of illegal puppy trade at the global animal welfare organization. Those affected and witnesses of cases can report illegal trade in puppies via the tool. A total of 47 out of 56 detectors stated that they have made their observation or experience with the purchase of a puppy from a dubious source on the Internet.
Illegal puppy trade is an EU-wide problem
The four paws report on the illegal puppy trade in Europe shows that in 2022 almost six million puppies would have been necessary to meet the demand in the EU. Shocking: 79 percent of these puppies came from unknown sources. A committee of members of the European Parliament is currently working on a draft law that could put an end to illegal puppy trade. Four paws have set up an online protest with which supporters can ask their MEPs to enact the long overdue law.
You can find the online protest for the request of the MEPs for a strict law in the fight against illegal puppy trade here. You can find the four paws reporting tool here.