Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare, Ariane Kari, is advocating for the regulation of private dog breeding practices, currently a largely unregulated sector.
Speaking to the Tagesspiegel newspaper, Kari highlighted that breeding licenses are presently required only for commercial dog breeders. The threshold for consideration as a commercial breeder often involves maintaining three female dogs capable of reproduction. Consequently, individuals breeding with one or two female dogs frequently operate outside of official oversight as private breeders.
Kari argued that effective prevention of poorly bred puppies necessitates a high level of expertise and knowledge. She voiced concerns that animal welfare issues are often inherent in unregulated breeding schemes. “To combat problematic breeding practices, it is crucial, in my view, to regulate the entirety of dog breeding” she stated. Expanding regulations would aim to ensure minimum standards of animal welfare are upheld throughout the breeding process.
Appointed as the nation’s first Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare in June 2023 by then-Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Green Party), Kari’s contract is due to expire at the end of August. It remains uncertain whether she will be retained in the role under the incoming Agriculture Minister, Alois Rainer (CSU).