Raising awareness about health and welfare issues associated with excessive breed-related traits such as brachycephaly is important to FECAVA. The Federation has adopted a Europe-wide position paper on this topic.
Below you can see some actions organised or co-organised by our member associations*:
*If your country is not listed below but should be, please get in touch!
Flat-faced cat breeds – such as the Persian cat and the exotic shorthair – have been bred to such an extent that they seriously suffer from several physical and hereditary conditions. Many animals have painful eye diseases, are cross-eyed, and are constantly struggling to breathe. Owners are often not well informed and are, therefore, unexpectedly
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We, at FECAVA, are totally opposed to the deliberate breeding of animals that will suffer due to extremes of body shape. The recent rise in ‘Dwelf’ or ‘bully’ cats is one such example. Hairless, with severely distorted limbs as well as other defects, these cats are unable to lead a normal life. Breeding for deformity
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This week, Norway’s Supreme Court handed down a final verdict in the historic dog breeding case. Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals who was iniciator of the lawsuit fully agrees that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed as it stands today is too sick and inbred for breeding to continue. The verdict thus confirms that
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In a joint effort to prioritize animal welfare and advocate responsible pet ownership, leading veterinary organizations have come together to address the use of brachycephalic animals in advertising campaigns. The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP) and the International Society
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