Animal rights

Normandy first French region to stop funding wild animal shows

The move is part of a wider trend away from wild animal use

Unmuzzled dog on train in France sparks complaint

A former MP complained about the Golden Retriever on social media, saying a ticket inspector and other passengers failed to tackle the owner

Cat compensation case is 'turning point' for animal rights in France

The sum due - €100 - is mainly symbolic but has been welcomed by animal-rights defenders

practical

France: Conservationists clash with hunters

Conservationists are calling on people to oppose a new list of animals that have been labelled pests

French mayor decree legally allows noisy cockerels

Noisy countryside cockerels in an Haute-Savoie (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) commune are now legally free to crow to their heart’s content after a mayor took out a decree to preserve “life in the countryside”.

Eurostar border fears, new flights, SUV tax: 9 French travel updates

We also explain how an animal charity is suing SNCF after a cat was crushed by a train, hear about strike refund delays and more

Street in France renamed after famous Nancy chimpanzee, Jojo

Jojo died in 2012 but a plaque has been installed in his memory, and as a marker of changing attitudes towards animal welfare

French parliament to debate banning traditional corrida bullfighting

A left-wing MP has proposed a bill which would outlaw bullfighting in France where the animal is killed, and which is expected to be voted on in November

Pro-bullfighting groups rally against proposed ban in France

Supporters in the south of the country are planning an open letter, pro-bullfighting video, and protests in favour of what they call an ‘interrupted tradition’, after an MP proposed a ban

Protest planned against circus using wild animals in north France

Associations have said that ‘animals are not there to entertain us’ and are against the circus’ use of wild animals

Petition to ban cockfights in France reaches over 30,000 signatures

The sport is still legal in parts of the Nord and Pas-de-Calais, with around 9,000 fights per year

France imposes new rules to stop rash pet purchases and avoid neglect

New owners are now required to sign a certificate or contract to show that they fully understand the responsibilities, costs, requirements and logistics of owning a pet

Rising inflation blamed for increase in pet abandonment in France

Rescue rates of animals in shelters dropped by 4% this year compared to last, with owners appearing to give up their animals due to rising costs

‘A long road ahead’: Parti Animaliste leader on French animal rights

Hélène Thouy discusses her presidential campaign and the barriers to improving animal welfare in France

Animal suffering becomes a key presidential election topic in France

A new shock video released by an animal welfare foundation calls on candidates to commit to improving the lot of animals and to stop being deaf to their suffering

French army ordered to stop killing wild Paris rabbits

The rabbits live on the Esplanade des Invalides, directly in front of the museum of French military history

France launches €20m action plan against animal abandonment

Shelters at full capacity as people dump dogs, cats, rodents and other animals post-lockdown

France changes laws to make glue trap hunting for birds illegal

Exemptions allowing the ‘traditional’ hunting method have been cancelled, as French supreme court says it goes against EU animal rights laws

Caged circus elephant found in south France

The owner of the mistreated animal is wanted for animal cruelty in France and Spain

Hunted stag takes refuge in town-centre train station

Hunters chased the stag from a forest into the town of Chantilly, where the animal ended up on train tracks

VIDEO: Octopus catches seagull off south French coast

Rare sight of an octopus catching a seagull from below the water has been captured on film by an aquarium worker in the south of France

Circuses ‘are reluctant to give up their animals’

Europe’s first elephant sanctuary near Limoges is ready to home former circus elephants, but know it will take time

Hunting for large game permitted in France despite lockdown

The exception to the lockdown law was granted this weekend, with pro-hunters saying it does not go far enough but animal welfare campaigners dubbing it a “scandal”

French mink farms under surveillance after Covid outbreak

The four controversial farms have been under surveillance since June after the Netherlands, and now Denmark, confirmed a ‘mutated’ virus outbreak

Unprepared game animals sold in French supermarket

The sale of hare, pheasants and other game covered in clear plastic and sold in their entirety have caused upset for some customers

France: Cats avoid being categorised environmentally harmful

The Assemblée Nationale has thrown out an amendment that would have considered cats to be dangerous predators and ‘a threat to biodiversity’

French MP proposes replacing hunt animals with robot copies

Robots could mimic animal behaviour and replace deer and rabbits in hunts to “end animal cruelty,” says MP Damien Adam, a member of President Macron's party.

EU may outlaw cage farming after 1.4m sign new initiative

Farming using cages could be banned in the European Union after almost 1.4 million EU citizens signed a new initiative against the practice, with the proposal now set to be examined by the European Commission.

French animal rights activist explains rabbit cruelty video

The co-founder of a well-known animal rights group tells us about a shocking new video showing the mistreatment of rabbits and a legal fight to protect France’s animals.

France unveils 'gradual' ban on circuses with animals

"It is time that our ancestral fascination with these wild beings no longer translates into situations where their captivity is favoured over their well-being"

French animal sanctuary in urgent need of donations

Big V, a sanctuary in France that cares for more than 160 rescued animals, is in urgent need of donations and volunteers if it is to survive

France's flamingo population booms post-COVID lockdown

Lockdown quiet and strong conservation work led to a tenfold rise in flamingo numbers in France.

France faces explosion in kitten population

Animal welfare groups have taken in thousands of young cats this summer after sterilisation programmes stalled during coronavirus confinement

France horse attacks: Police release man without charge

50-year-old released without charge late on Monday

Horse attacks in France: Police make arrest

50-year-old taken into custody in connection with recent attempted attack on two ponies

Horse attacks: Owners in France warned against vigilantism

Gendarmerie have called on horse owners in France “not to take justice into their own hands”, even as another horse is killed, and police warn that they believe the attacks to be by “more than one perpetrator”.

Macron bans ‘illegal’ hunting of thrush and blackbirds

The President took the decision to ban birdlime (or "glue") hunting after meeting with hunting representatives and politicians. The ban is in place for one year.

French horse owner surprises animal attackers in the night

The horse owner scared away two individuals armed with knives on his property, after they had already stabbed a horse. This comes following at least 15 other macabre horse attacks in France this year.

Judge rules 1,430 foxes can be killed in Normandy this year

The ministry of justice has upheld a prefectorial decree ordering the killing of 1,430 foxes by 2021, despite opposition from nature protection association One Voice.

Brexit: should I change UK pet passport to a French version?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

500,000 sign petition for French vote on animal cruelty

The petition is also supported by over 100 animal welfare organisations and influential French personalities. More signatures and parliamentary support are needed for the issues to go to referendum.

Another horse found killed with ear removed in east France

The 18-month-old foal was found dead and mutilated in the latest in a series of deadly attacks on horses and donkeys in France.

France needs minister for animal welfare, say rights groups

Animal rights groups in France have accused the government of missing an opportunity to create a minister dedicated to animal welfare in a recent cabinet reshuffle.

French business leaders support new animal welfare campaign

Three high-profile business founders in France have come out in support of holding a referendum on animal welfare issues - including the end of battery and intensive farming, the use of fur, and animal experimentation.

Europe’s first elephant sanctuary is ready to host animals

Europe’s first “retirement home” for zoo and circus elephants is now ready – and waiting to welcome its first residents.

End animal cruelty and abandonment in France, says MP report

People in France should not be allowed to buy pets “impulsively”, harsher penalties should apply for animal cruelty, and there should be a special hotline to report mistreatment, a French MP has said in a new report.

Brigitte Bardot demands right to keep wild boar as a pet

French actress and animal welfare campaigner Brigitte Bardot is calling on authorities in southwest France to allow a woman to keep a wild boar as a pet. After officials refused permission the boar now risks euthanasia.

€30,000 reward for info on southwest France bear killer

A €30,000 reward is being offered by NGO Sea Shepherd for any information about a Pyrenees bear shot in Ustou (Ariège, Occitanie) on June 9. Police are investigating the killing.

Pets and Covid-19 in France: FAQs and vet care rules

A full list of when it is still permitted to take your pet to the vet in France, receive veterinary care, and how to take care of your domestic pet during the time of Covid-19 confinement - has been published.

Most hens in France are still in cages

Most laying hens in France – 58% – are still in cages and the government is back-pedalling on its pledge to end the practice by 2022, an animal welfare association claims.

Wolf tail gift ‘bad taste’ says French welfare group

A wolf and predator welfare association has denounced a wolf tail that was given by the president of a French council as a leaving gift, as being “in very bad taste”.

French political party lists cat as local candidate

A French political party has presented a cat as one of its candidates in an imminent municipal election in Rennes, Brittany.

A happier retirement for France's laying hens

Scheme offers members of the public a chance to adopt laying hens that would otherwise be slaughtered

Baby dolphin's death at French marina prompts protests

According to the Groupe Anti Captivité animal welfare group, it is the 46th cetacean to die at Marineland since the park opened

'Ban children from attending bullfights in France'

Animal welfare group says 86% of people support such a ban, with 74% in favour of banning bullfighting altogether

French charity seeking to shut down hunting parks

A wild animal charity has gathered 30,000 signatures in its attempt to ban hunts in enclosed parks.

Paris votes to ban circuses with wild animals

The city of Paris council has voted to ban the authorisation of circuses that use wild animals, from the end of 2020.

Egg industry chick culling method to be banned

Announcement on ban of culling by maceration follows German court ruling in June 2019

French minister: ‘Abandoning pets should be punished’

People in France who abandon their pets could soon be punished by law, after a French minister said he believed there should be a law against it.

French animal rescue group warns over abandoned pets

An animal rescue society in the north of France has raised the alarm over the number of abandoned animals it encounters, including cats left in rubbish bins and dogs tied to roadside fences.

What will happen to circus animals?

What happens to the animals if circuses with animal acts are banned? And what about those who work with them? Is there any compensation? T.K.

Bathtub posters call for whales to go back in sea

Rights groups have launched poster campaigns across the country to stop aquarium attractions using whales and dolphins.

Circuses in France beat bans but still face refusal

Circuses with performing wild animals are celebrating after bans on their shows in dozens of communes across France were overturned.

Animal rights groups hit back as MPs attend bullfight

Animal rights groups have hit back and reignited a debate over the legality of bullfighting in France after two ministers were seen attending a bullfight in the south of the country.

Dog-friendly holidays and activities on rise in France

Holiday destinations and activities that allow owners to bring their pet dogs with them are growing rapidly in France, with the number of dog-friendly establishments and dog-suitable activities on the rise.

Parents force ice-dance show to drop caged lion

An ice-dance show has been forced to stop using a caged lion in its Magic on Ice after protests from parents at rehearsals.

France pilots cameras in abattoirs for animal welfare

Abattoirs in France may soon be fitted with surveillance cameras as part of the government’s plans to fight against animal cruelty and malpractice.

Pet rescue president passes on his lead

The president of animal rescue charity Phoenix, who founded the association with his wife, is stepping down from his role due to ill health.

Bullfighting cannot use ‘live’ tax rate, France rules

Bullfighting cannot be considered as a “live performance”, and is therefore not eligible for a reduced 5.5% VAT rate, French high court the Conseil d’Etat has ruled.

Another French city bans wild animal circuses

Lille is to join hundreds of other towns and cities and ban circuses with wild animals.

Woman fined for killing rescue pig for meat

40-year-old prosecuted for "breach of trust and complicity in slaughter outside a slaughterhouse under illegal conditions"

French police dog handlers launch kennel crowdfund

Two police dog handlers in Marseille have launched an online crowdfunding campaign to help fund a project to provide kennels for retired service dogs.

‘Sausage Street’ may change name

Rue de la Saucisse may be changing its name but it is not because vegans demanded it.

New calls for hunt ban after death toll grows

Animal cruelty campaigners are stepping up demands for a ban on hunting on Sundays after the deaths of five people already this season.

Farmers in French Pyrenees try to scare bears to Spain

Farmers and hunters in the French Pyrenees have attempted to move two female bears towards the Spanish side of the border using “scare tactics”.