We, animal lovers from within and outside the EU, have noted that from July 1, 2026, the international road transport of dogs and cats for rescue and adoption will become impossible due to the smart tachograph requirement for light commercial vehicles.
Tens of thousands of volunteers in the EU are committed to rescuing millions of stray animals that face abuse, harsh weather conditions, hunger, and disease, or risk of dying in shelters of hunger or overcrowding.
Our volunteer work is considered a commercial activity by the European Parliament and is therefore subject to the same EU laws and regulations as the trade in livestock by multinationals.
Stray animals are never taken into account in current EU laws and regulations, nor in the new ones.
EU Transport Regulation 01/2005, which also applies to us, focuses on the welfare of livestock during long journeys, usually to slaughter. Our animals have a good life ahead of them, but must be transported unnecessarily longer to comply with these rules for slaughter cattle. The welfare of dogs and cats during transport seems to be of secondary importance.
On 1 July 2026, the EU mobility package will make it mandatory for commercial transporters of commercial vehicles weighing 2,500 kg or more to install a smart tachograph. That limit is currently 3,500 kg. Our buses weigh between 2,500 and 3,500 kg, which means we will have to install an extremely expensive tachograph and comply with the driving and rest times legislation from 1 July 2026.
The transport of dogs and cats will take much longer than necessary due to mandatory stops. The dogs and cats must remain in the vehicle during the journey, as we are not allowed to unload them en route under the Transport Regulation. In addition, the smart tachograph allows a maximum of two drivers, which means that transport from southern Europe to western Europe, for example, will no longer be possible.
The two EU laws are incompatible. The EU mobility package covers freight transport and does not take into account the transport of pets. Animal welfare is of secondary importance. Pets are not goods!
We ask the European Parliament to make an exception to the smart tachograph requirement for the international road transport of dogs and cats for adoption.
Help us to continue to give stray animals a better life. Sign our petition.
Thank you.
Weil die Tiere Hilfe brauchen!