Who can legally sell a dog or cat in France, and through what channel? The question seems simple, but regulations have significantly evolved since 2024, with strengthened penalties in the summer of 2026. This article measures the gap between the legal framework and actual practices on online advertising platforms, distinguishing between adoption, donation, and sale.
Online Sale of Pets: What the Law Allows and Prohibits
The French framework distinguishes three categories of actors: registered breeders, animal protection associations, and individuals. Each has different rights regarding the transfer of dogs and cats.
| Actor | Sale of Puppies/Kittens | Sale of Adults | Donation | Online Advertisement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Breeder (SIREN) | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Mandatory: SIREN, age, identification |
| Association/Foundation | Paid Adoption (veterinary fees) | Paid Adoption | Possible | Allowed with legal mentions |
| Individual | Prohibited (unless becoming a breeder) | Occasional only | Allowed | Donation: yes. Sale: highly regulated |
| Pet Store | Prohibited since January 1, 2024 | Prohibited | Not applicable | Prohibited |
This table summarizes the essentials. An individual cannot sell a puppy or kitten online. To sell even a single animal from a litter, they must register as a breeder with the agricultural chamber, obtain a SIREN number, and comply with health standards.
Platforms specializing in connecting adopters with approved organizations, such as aniwal.fr, allow users to view advertisements compliant with regulations, reducing the risk of encountering illegal offers.
Strengthened Penalties in 2026: Fines for Non-Compliant Pet Stores
The ban on selling dogs and cats in pet stores has existed since 2024, but without explicit penalties. The decree of August 1, 2026 changed the situation. Pet stores that sell dogs or cats now face a 5th class fine.
The same text penalizes the display of live animals in windows visible from public roads, regardless of the species. This measure aims to put an end to impulsive purchases triggered by the sight of a puppy behind glass.
Documented Workarounds by the Press
Despite this tightening, some pet stores exploited the legal gray area that existed before the summer of 2026. Le Parisien documented in August 2026 practices of online ordering of puppies or discreet handover in the back room. These “click and collect” strategies aimed to maintain sales activity without visible display.
Adoption days in pet stores remain allowed, but under strict conditions: the animals must belong to foundations or associations, and volunteers from these organizations must be present on-site.
Online Adoption: Mandatory Documents and Pitfalls to Spot in Advertisements
Whether it’s a donation or a sale, any advertisement for the transfer of a dog or cat must include specific mentions. The absence of this information is the first warning sign.
- The SIREN number of the breeder or the litter number for animals registered in a pedigree book, mandatory for any sale
- The age of the animal (minimum 8 weeks for transfer) and its identification number (tattoo or microchip)
- A certificate of commitment and knowledge, which the buyer must sign at least 7 days before the actual acquisition of the animal
- A transfer certificate and an information document on the animal’s needs, characteristics, and training advice
An advertisement for a donation that later requests money is illegal. Yet, this is the most common workaround on social media: the offer is presented as a free donation, then the giver asks for a financial “contribution” upon handing over the animal.
Checking the Reliability of a Dog or Cat Advertisement
The SPA and several associations regularly warn about the extent of fraudulent advertisements. To assess the reliability of an offer, a few checks take less than two minutes.
The SIREN number displayed in the advertisement can be verified in the official business directory. The identification of the animal (chip or tattoo) must correspond to a record in the national I-CAD file. The absence of a SIREN number in a sales advertisement is systematically a sign of illegality.
The mention of the breed must also be consistent with the seller’s status. Only registered breeders owning the breeding female can sell purebred puppies or kittens.
European Regulation 2026: Towards Verification of Online Advertisements
A new European regulation published in August 2026 introduces a verification mechanism for online advertisements for the sale of dogs and cats. This system requires platforms to verify the identity of sellers and the compliance of advertisements before publication.
In France, the national framework already complements this system. The Ministry of Agriculture reminds that any transfer, whether free or paid, must be accompanied by the regulatory documents. The certificate of commitment and knowledge, established to hold future owners accountable, imposes a 7-day reflection period before any acquisition.
This dual level of regulation (European and national) should gradually reduce the volume of non-compliant advertisements. Platforms that do not filter illegal offers could ultimately engage their liability, marking a paradigm shift from the situation that prevailed until recently.
The strengthening of penalties for pet stores, combined with the mandatory verification of online advertisements, outlines a framework where adoption through approved structures becomes the safest route. For buyers, the most reliable reflex remains to systematically check the SIREN number, the identification of the animal, and the presence of the commitment certificate before any action.
