If you are considering buying an apartment in Paris and/or moving from America, Australia or anywhere else, and you are eager to bring your beloved pet along for the adventure, you are probably wondering if Paris welcomes pets with open arms. This article sheds light on what it's like to move to Paris with a pet.
đ„ Pets and animals in French Society
Paris is home to more than 1,300 species of wild animals, including foxes, bats, and numerous birds and insects, not to mention pets. Approximately 250,000 cats and 100,000 dogs, as well as other new pets such as rabbits, hamsters, and turtles, share the daily lives of Parisians. These animals are part of their daily lives.
In recent years, French society's perspective on animals has evolved, culminating in the legal recognition of this change in the French Civil Code in 2015, which acknowledges animals as "living beings endowed with sensitivity." Until 2015, the French Civil Code considered animals as "furniture" !
đ„ Passing French Customs with Your Pet
French customs authorities control pets arriving in the European Union to prevent the transmission of serious diseases, such as rabies. So upon your arrival in the E.U., you will need to declare and present your pet to the customs officers for them to carry out a documentary and identity check.
France considers the following as pets:
- Dogs (including assistance dogs), cats, and ferrets
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Invertebrates (excluding bees and crustaceans)
- Domestic rodents and rabbits
- Ornamental fish
- All species of birds, except chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, as well as ratites (Ratitae).
Your furry friend (dog, cat, or ferret) must:
- Be identified (microchip implanted under the skin or tattoo performed before July 3, 2011). Your animal can only be identified by tattoo if accompanied by proof that the tattoo was done before July 3, 2011.
- Have their rabies vaccination valid. Vaccination must always be done after identification to be recognized as valid. Also, the date of rabies vaccination may be the same as the implantation of the microchip or later, but never earlier, and the vaccine must have been administered at least 21 days before departure. Due to vaccination and protective immunity deadlines, the introduction into France of dogs, cats, or ferrets under 16 weeks of age, even vaccinated against rabies, is not allowed.
- Undergo a serum antibody titration for rabies antibodies., except if you are coming from Australia, Canada, The United States of America, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan...(this list is not exhaustive)
- Be accompanied either by the original health certificate issued or endorsed by an official veterinarian of the third country of origin. The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by an official veterinarian and until the date of checks at the traveler's entry point into the EU.
đ„ Life as a Pet in the City of Light
Dogs must be kept on a leash in public areas. Dog poop used to be a nuisance in Paris. Nowadays it is rather uncommon to spot dog poop on the streets of Paris. The fine for not picking up one's dog's waste is âŹ135.
Most gardens are accessible to pets, except in children's play areas. Some squares, gardens, and parks even offer dog areas: specially designed spaces to allow dog owners to walk their pets under the best conditions. There are more than thirty of them in Paris.
Dogs are prohibited in cemeteries except for assistance dogs. It is very common to find cats walking or sleeping in cemeteries. L'association du Chat and other associations feed stray cats.
Dogs on a leash are accepted in restaurants, stores, except for food stores.
đ„ Pets in French Culture
French writer Colette's passion for cats is reflected in her work. From her childhood in Burgundy, Colette showed an interest in animals, particularly cats, and she loved them all her life. Colette always surrounded herself with cats. Her fascination, especially for Chartreux cats, marked her life. In her work, cats are endowed with speech. They reveal to readers some keys to their personality, such as Kiki-la-Doucette responding to Tobby-Dog, who reproaches her for her bad temper.
Chacun cherche son chat is a 1996 movie by French director Cédric Klapish. It is about Chloé, a young Parisian make up artist who decides to take a few days off. To do so, Chloé must entrust her cat to Madame Renée, an old lady living in her neighborhood. Upon her return, Madame Renée informs her that her cat has disappeared through the window. Setting in motion her network of old ladies and regulars in the Bastille neighborhood, Madame Renée activates a diverse small world, each in their own way, in search of Chloé's cat in a Parisian neighborhood undergoing rapid change.
In a nutshell:
Happy property hunting, and may your French real estate journey be as smooth as a buttery croissant! đ„ đ«đ·
As always, I love to read your comments and answer your questions.
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