The Council of the European Union has published a corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2026/… on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability, adopted on 17 June 2026. The correction, dated 17 July 2026, fixes terminology errors in 22 language versions of the regulation, affecting all EU Member States and operators covered by the rules.
The corrigendum addresses several key inaccuracies. Recital (53) replaces the terms "bitches and queens" with "female dogs and female cats" regarding breeding before maturity. Articles 4, 10, 16, 27 and Annex I points 3.1–3.6 now use "breeding bitches" and "breeding queens" where appropriate. Article 21 changes "unique authenticator" to "unique verification code" for traceability. Article 26(2) adds "and territories" after "third countries". Recital (20) corrects "temporary facilities" to "temporary collection facilities". Recital (21) changes "community cats" to "free-roaming stray cats". Recital (46) changes "breeding" to "keeping" of dogs and cats. Article 16(1) changes "security purposes" to "guarding purposes".
Member States have three days from the corrigendum's publication to submit observations to the Council's legal service. The corrections ensure uniform interpretation and enforcement of the regulation across the EU, which sets minimum standards for the breeding, keeping, and traceability of dogs and cats. The regulation is expected to enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, with most provisions applying from a later date.
The corrigendum primarily impacts national authorities responsible for implementing the regulation, as well as breeders, shelters, and pet traders who must comply with the corrected terminology. The changes clarify obligations related to breeding age limits, traceability codes, and facility definitions, reducing legal uncertainty. Consumers and animal welfare organisations may benefit from clearer rules, while operators face no new substantive requirements beyond those already in the adopted regulation.