The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals is a treaty of the Council of Europe to promote the welfare of pet animals and ensure minimum standards for their treatment and protection. The treaty was signed in 1987 and became effective on 1 May 1992, after at least four countries had ratified it. Adherence to the treaty is open and not limited to member countries of the Council of Europe. As of June 2020, it has been ratified by 24 states (most recently by Spain in July 2017). Content The convention is divided into seven chapters: General provisions Principles for the keeping of pet animals Supplementary measures for stray animals Information and education Multilateral consultations Amendments Final provisions Parties As of June 2020, the Netherlands is the only state that has signed but not ratified the treaty yet. A review of the treaty performed in 1995 resulted in minor modifications of the text and allowed signatory states to declare themselves exempt from certain paragraphs of the treaty. Subsequently, a number of additional countries signed and ratified the treaty, making use of this provision by declaring themselves exempt from the prohibition of tail docking. No country that has ratified the treaty has made any reservations regarding the other cosmetic surgeries prohibited by §10: cropping of ears, removal of vocal cords, and declawing. See also Animal law Animal rights by country or territory Cruelty to animals List of Council of Europe treaties List of international animal welfare conventions References External links Details of Treaty No.125 – European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, Treaty available in ECOLEX-the gateway to environmental law (English) Fauna of Europe Animal welfare and rights legislation Council of Europe treaties 1987 in France Treaties concluded in 1987 Treaties entered into force in 1992 Treaties of Austria Treaties of Azerbaijan Treaties of Belgium Treaties of Bulgaria Treaties of Cyprus Treaties of the Czech Republic Treaties of Denmark Treaties of Finland Treaties of France Treaties of Germany Treaties of Greece Treaties of Italy Treaties of Latvia Treaties of Lithuania Treaties of Luxembourg Treaties of Norway Treaties of Portugal Treaties of Romania Treaties of Serbia Treaties of Sweden Treaties of Switzerland Treaties of Turkey Treaties of Ukraine Animal treaties Treaties extended to French Polynesia Treaties extended to New Caledonia Treaties extended to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands