Introduction

Živalnik.si Pets Marketplace is committed to supporting legally compliant, ethical and transparent trade in small animals. In close cooperation with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (UVHVVR), we have received guidance explaining key legal and veterinary requirements regarding the advertising and purchase of animals.

This article explains the most important questions and answers relevant to sellers (breeders, online shops) and consumers (buyers). We wish all adverts to be properly prepared, so that you reduce the risk of non‑compliance with the law while also protecting the health and welfare of animals.

Animals from third countries

1. Is it permissible to sell a dog from a third country (e.g. Serbia) if the animal has a valid EU pet passport, and how do we know if it does not?

If the sale (transfer) concerns an animal originating from a third country, the animal must always be accompanied by the prescribed veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authority in that third country when entering the European Union (EU). The certificate template depends on whether this is a non‑commercial movement (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) or an import (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692). 

In the case of a non‑commercial movement, the future owner must collect the animal personally at the place of origin and then bring it to Slovenia, and the purpose of the movement must not be a change of ownership. All future owners must be familiar with the legislation and accordingly understand when the legal basis for an import applies and when the legal basis for a non‑commercial movement applies. The new owner of a dog must register ownership within seven days with an authorised veterinarian (in accordance with the Animal Protection Act).

Import – Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692

• Title 5 - HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTRY OF DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS INTO THE UNION
• Article 73 – Consignment of dogs, cats and ferrets to the Union (premises)
• Article 74 – Identification of dogs, cats and ferrets (including microchip / transponder)
• Article 76 – Dogs, cats and ferrets (conditions for import)

Non‑commercial movement – Regulation (EU) 576/2013 (new legislation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals enters into force on 22 April 2026, which does not change the health conditions for the non-commercial entry of pet dogs, pet cats and pet ferrets into the EU)

• MIDOVEMENT CONDITIONS – Article 6 (from one EU Member State to another), Article 10 (from a third country into the EU)
• MARKING – Article 17
• IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS – Articles 21–24 (from one EU Member State to another), Articles 25–27 (from a third country into the EU)

2. Does the statement “They have an EU pet passport” for an animal originating from a third country itself constitute an infringement?

Yes, if it is stated that this is a puppy originating from a third country and being sold from there. We also point out that if the puppy originates from an EU Member State, it must have a passport issued in that Member State. For example, a puppy advertised as coming from Hungary or Bulgaria cannot have a “promised” Slovenian passport.

3. Is the term “certificate” equivalent to the EU pet passport, or must the EU pet passport be explicitly stated?

The terms are not equivalent. The EU pet passport (hereinafter: PL) is a booklet containing data on the animal, its owner and the vaccinations and treatments the animal has received. It is a document that allows free movement of the animal within the EU together with its owner. It is issued by an authorised veterinarian (at a clinic) in the EU at the time of microchipping and first vaccination.

A (veterinary health) certificate is a document issued by the official veterinarian of the competent authority in the country of origin, following examination and identification of the animal and its appropriate documentation. For entry into the EU the form / model of the certificate is prescribed by EU legislation. This document confirms the identity of the animal, its owner and the administered vaccinations and treatments carried out by authorised veterinarians of a given country.

We are aware that future owners are not familiar with these terms, so we have published appropriate information on our websites – the links are below. We advise owners to contact us for a precise explanation, especially if they are considering importing an animal.

A large amount of information is already available on the links below:

• Travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets within the European Union | GOV.SI
• Travelling or returning to Slovenia with a dog, cat or ferret from third countries | GOV.SI
• Import of dogs, cats and ferrets | GOV.SI

 4. Is the statement of the import timetable (age of puppies etc.) mandatory in the advert itself, and does the absence of these data alone mean an infringement?

This is not a mandatory statement. Import from certain countries that require a titer test is not possible before the animal reaches seven months of age (Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Russia, Albania, Belarus, Israel, Turkey, etc.). Within Slovenia, puppies must be identified and registered by the age of eight weeks. Movement of puppies before this age is not allowed (Pravilnik o označevanju in registraciji hišnih živali UL RS, št. 89/14).

 5. Should the advert state that all tests required before import from a third country have been carried out?

Most buyers do not know which tests are required for import from most third countries. In the case of import from a third country, please check the conditions on the links above. Every (future) animal owner is responsible for informed decisions regarding the conditions for moving animals. The owner or the person responsible for the animal during travel must in accordance with the legislation contact the competent authority at the first point of entry into the EU, where the documentation is checked. In case of non‑compliance, entry of the animal into the EU is refused.

Import from certain countries that require a titer test (Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Russia, Albania, Belarus, Israel, Turkey, etc.) is not possible before the animal reaches seven months of age. Even if the advert concerns an adult animal, it must still wait three months after the titer test before it can enter the EU. The titer test can only be carried out after a valid vaccination against rabies (blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination). A titer test may also be required when transiting through these countries.

 6. Is it mandatory when advertising puppies to state the microchip of the puppy or is the microchip of the mother sufficient? Currently, the user must state the microchip of the puppy or its mother when posting a dog advert.

In accordance with Article 10 of the Animal Protection Act (Uradni list RS, št. 38/13, uradno prečiščeno besedilo, 21/18 – ZNOrg, 92/20, 159/21, 109/23, 12/25 – odl. US in 60/25), the advertiser must state data on the marking of the advertised dog or data on its origin in accordance with the seventh paragraph of Article 6 of this Act for puppies younger than eight weeks. In accordance with the seventh paragraph of Article 10, the origin of a dog born in the Republic of Slovenia is demonstrated by the microchip number or other marking of the dog’s mother. If the dog was adopted from a shelter, the shelter is considered its origin. In the case of trade, import or non‑commercial movement of a dog, the dog’s origin is demonstrated by the prescribed document accompanying the animal.

The third paragraph of Article 10 of the Animal Protection Act states: When advertising dogs for the purpose of sale or any other form of change of ownership, the advertiser must state the data on the marking of the advertised dog or data on its origin in accordance with the seventh paragraph of Article 6 of this Act for puppies younger than eight weeks. The provider of the advertising space must verify, when publishing adverts, that the advertiser indicates the prescribed data.

7. How should you proceed in situations where puppies are being sold, that have not yet been microchipped (but will be microchipped before leaving for their new home)?

In this situation, when advertising puppies born in Slovenia that are younger than eight weeks, the advertiser must state the origin data, i.e. the identification mark (microchip) of the mother. The provider of the advertising space must verify that the advertiser provides the prescribed data when publishing adverts.

In the case of advertising puppies that were not born in Slovenia, it must also be stated that these puppies originate from abroad. The puppy’s microchip number is more important than the mother’s microchip. Therefore, if an advert is published before the puppies are microchipped, the mother’s microchip is recorded. As soon as the puppies are microchipped, the seller must update the advert and publish the puppies’ microchip numbers.

8. How should the platform objectively assess the reliability of microchips if there is a possibility of copying numbers from other adverts or directly from other sources? Is it the platform’s obligation to verify the correctness of microchips?

The platform’s obligation is not to verify the correctness of microchips, however, you may act concretely by notifying us, so that the competent authority (UVHVVR) can verify them.

9. Is the mere offer of transport of animals from a third country illegal? In such a case, one may infer that this is a commercial movement (import into Slovenia), but is this in itself illegal?

The transport of animals may only be carried out by an appropriately registered carrier. In the case of a non‑commercial movement, the future owner must personally collect the animal from the place of origin, regardless of location, and the animal must travel together with him/her; the purpose of the movement must not be a change of ownership. If someone else brings the animal to the future owner, this constitutes the activity of transport. The list of registered animal‑transport carriers in Slovenia can be found here: Obrati na področju zdravja živali | GOV.SI, under the section Obrati na področju zdravja živali, the third link from the end. Offering delivery half‑way is not in line with the legislation. (For reference, see the area on registration, authorisation, traceability and movements in Regulation (EU) 2016/429.)

Feed and animal nutrition products

1. How can we verify that a person has the appropriate permits from UVHVVR and AJPESA?

The public does not have access to our registers; only the competent authority can verify them. However, you may request a certificate of registration of the seller from the seller yourself. As regards AJPES, their records are public. For the conditions for placing food and feed on the market, see Chapter III of the Act on safe food and feed (ZVHK) Uradni list RS, št. 100/25.

Seller information

1. Does this apply only to sellers who are legal entities?

Yes, if someone sells as a legal entity, the person must have an open form of business activity (at least a sole‑trader activity (s.p.) or complementary activity on a farm). As in other online adverts, the name of the advertiser must be clearly visible. It is sufficient to state the basic (short) name, e.g. Janez Novak, holder of a complementary activity on a farm. (See the Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP‑2) (Uradni list RS, št. 163/22, 40/25 – ZInfV‑1 in 10/26 – ZP‑1L) and the Regulation on complementary activities on farms (URED6925), UL RS, št. 57/15, 36/18, 151/22, 4/25 in 100/25 – ZKme‑2.)

2. Are farmers considered breeders?

Yes, if they have at least one breeding animal. Breeders also include those who keep breeding dogs, cats, ornamental birds, fish, rabbits, rodents, etc., and they must register this at AJPES. Breeding animals are animals kept for the production of food, wool, hides and fur. Every movement of breeding animals must be recorded in our records by both the former and the new owner.

 3. What if an individual is not registered as a breeder but still sells animals?

Those who keep breeding animals in the Republic of Slovenia must be registered as breeders. If someone is merely giving away their own cat or dog puppies that do not come from a breeding‑line activity, registration of a dog or cat breeding at the authority is not required.

What does this mean for sellers on Živalnik.si?

1. How should you prepare an advert so that it complies with legal requirements?

• Always state the country of origin, microchip, age and quantity (number of animals).
• For imported animals, add remarks regarding the conditions and priority instructions for buyers.
• Do not create ambiguous or incorrect information (e.g. “EU pet passport” for an animal from a third country).

2. What should a buyer be aware of or do before purchasing an animal?

• Review the documentation and ask the seller for the pet passport / certificate.
• Check the requirements for the animal’s entry into Slovenia on Gov.si.
• Consult a veterinarian regarding the health conditions.

What is our responsibility as a platform?

Živalnik.si cannot personally verify all documents, but it warns of risks and supports transparent advertising. If you suspect that an advert is not in line with the legislation, please inform us so that a report can be submitted to the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection.