France imposes up to €1,500 fines on pet shops selling cats and dogs

A French decree announced by the Ministry of Agriculture sets fines of up to €1,500 per animal for pet shops that sell dogs or cats in violation of the 2024 ban, with a repeat‑offence penalty of €3,000. The same decree also imposes a €750 fine per animal for displaying live animals in shop windows visible to the public. The ministry said the measures aim to curb “impulse purchases” by buyers who are not prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership.

The decree follows a 2025 investigation by animal‑welfare group 30 Millions d’Amis that found many shops hiding animals in back‑rooms or selling them online via click‑and‑collect services. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked his government in late July to intensify the fight against animal mistreatment, setting an October 1 deadline for implementing the new sanctions. The penalties reinforce a 2021 law that took effect in 2024, closing a regulatory gap that previously left violations unpunished.