Adopting a pet in France

Getting a pet in France

If you want to get a pet while living in France – whether you adopt or purchase – be aware that since October 1, 2022, French law requires anyone acquiring a cat, dog, or certain other pets to sign a certificate of commitment and knowledge (certificat d’engagement et de connaissance). 

This outlines the responsibilities of owning the pet, expected lifespan, cost of care (food, medical care, etc), as well as the animal’s time and attention needs. The certificate must be signed at least 7 days before the adoption or purchase. 

Know too for official identification that as well as microchips (mandatory for international travel), animals in France born before 2012 can also be tattooed, and be registered as such in the I-CAD database.

Buying and selling pets 

There are strict laws on the purchase of animals. Private individuals may only sell an adult dog or cat occasionally, on the condition they can provide the correct sale paperwork – selling a puppy or a kitten born to a dog or a cat you own automatically makes the owner a breeder under French law, which triggers legal obligations. It is illegal for individuals to advertise sales or free giveaways of animals on listings websites and online platforms. Know too that as of January 1, 2024, it is illegal to buy dogs or cats from pet stores in France.

If you buy a puppy or a kitten, they must be microchipped by the breeder before sale (puppies before the age of 4 months, and kittens 7 months, as these are the ages from which I-CAD registration is compulsory). 

As well as the certificate of commitment and knowledge, the breeder must provide proof the animal is at least 8 weeks old (minimum legal age), a health certificate from a vet (less than 3 months old), and a certificate of transfer/sale (attestation de cession) – this is a mandatory document under French law for any transfer (sale or gift) of a cat or dog whether juvenile or adult, and must include: names and contact details of both parties; breed (or ‘non-race’ if not registered in a breed registry), sex, date of birth, color, and identification number (microchip) of the animal; date of sale; price and payment terms; any known health issues; the breeder's SIREN number. If the animal is over the compulsory age for I-CAD registration, then I-CAD registration documents must be provided. 

If the animal is pedigree, then pedigree documents and information must be provided. If you buy an adult dog or cat, they must be registered with I-CAD by the breeder or private individual before sale. As well as the certificate of commitment and knowledge, they must provide I-CAD registration documents, a health certificate from a vet (less than 3 months old), and a certificate of transfer/sale (attestation de cession) – this must include the same information as above, though private individuals will not have a SIREN number.

Pets given away for free

Private individuals who give their animals away for free may do so on the understanding that there is no payment (not even reimbursement for food or vet costs), that the transfer is entirely non-commercial, and that they must not advertise online. Additionally, if the animals are kittens or puppies, it must be a single occurrence and thereafter they must have the mother animal sterilized. Giving away multiple litters regularly gives the authorities grounds to classify the person giving away as a breeder and they must register officially as such.

For puppies and kittens, and dogs and cats, given away for free, French law still requires the person giving them away to comply with legal obligations similar to those for animals bought and sold.

The animal must have formal identification before giveaway (microchips – puppies before the age of 4 months, and kittens 7 months, as these are the ages from which I-CAD registration is compulsory, or tattoos – if the animal was born before 2012), and registered with I-CAD if over the minimum compulsory age, with documentation provided in each instance. 

As well as the certificate of commitment and knowledge, proof must be provided that the animal is at least 8 weeks old (minimum legal age), in addition to a health certificate from a vet (less than 3 months old), and a certificate of transfer/sale (attestation de cession) which must include: names and contact details of both parties; breed (or ‘non-race’ if not registered in a breed registry), sex, date of birth, color, and identification number (microchip) of the animal; date and terms of transfer.

Shelters

If you choose to adopt from a shelter or animal protection organization such as SPA, after the initial visit and matching there will be an application and a screening process, which sometimes encompasses the use of fostering to evaluate before permanent adoption can take place. 

Typically you will pay an adoption fee (between €100 and €300, varying by animal type and age), and sign an adoption contract, which usually includes: identification number (microchip and I-CAD); sterilization agreement; vaccination record; certificate of commitment and knowledge; sometimes, a clause allowing the shelter to reclaim the pet if it's mistreated.

Adopting a guide dog

For a pet ownership experience with a difference, it is possible to become a host family for a guide dog puppy. This initial period is very important. When the puppies arrive, aged between two and three months old, they are very easily influenced, and it is the family’s duty to introduce them to the world and teach them basic behavior and commands. 

Although commands should be given in French, a lot of the meaning is expressed by the intonation and tone of voice. The puppy’s food and veterinary bills are paid for by the school where the dog comes from. You must have enough time to look after the animal as you should not leave the dog alone for more than three hours in the day. You must also live quite close to a guide dog school, as the puppy will be monitored by a professional. 

Once the dog is a year old, they are transferred to the school to finish training ready for homing. See here, click Le Chien Guide then drop down to Devenir famille d’accueil.

Connexion Tip: Rabies explained

Rabies, known as ‘la rage’ in French, used to be endemic but thanks to a range of measures including vaccination it has been more or less eradicated – France was declared free of rabies in 2001 (in domestic animals – in wild animals such as bats, foxes, badgers etc rare cases are still reported) and there has not been a human case of rabies contracted in the country since 1923. 

The reason there are still strong protections in place is because as well as the minimal risk from wildlife cases, France’s land borders mean non-vaccinated animals can be brought in by road, whether unintentionally or by animal traffickers smuggling desirable breeds for illegal sales.