"Un animal n'est pas un accessoire de mode" campaign poster; Credit: MA

To mark International Animal Rights Day on Wednesday 10 December 2025, Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture is relaunching its campaign "A pet is not a fashion accessory" ("Un animal n'est pas un accessoire de mode").

"Do the adorable faces of puppies and kittens melt your heart, making you want to give your children a pet for Christmas? Think again!" the ministry cautioned in a statement issued on Monday 8 December 2025.

"A pet is neither a gift nor a fashion accessory... but a lifelong commitment and responsibility," said Martine Hansen, Luxembourg's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture.

The campaign, relaunched on International Animal Rights Day, aims to highlight the long-term responsibility involved in adopting or purchasing a pet - a commitment that may last for many years or even decades. Luxembourg's 2018 animal protection law prohibits abandonment. Yet, the minister noted, "after the Christmas or summer holidays, we see that shelters, already overcrowded, have to take in new dogs and cats that have just been abandoned."

"Having a pet involves financial costs and time to care for and train it," the minister added.

According to the ministry, a pet owner's responsibilities include:

  • verifying that the chosen animal species is on Luxembourg's authorised list;
  • having the pet identified and registered;
  • complying with certain rules when travelling with their pet (travel rules vary depending on the destination);
  • covering all expenses necessary for their pet's health and well-being, including veterinary and food costs;
  • having sufficient time to walk, train and care for their pet;
  • arranging suitable care (petsitting) for the pet in the owner's absence.

More information on pet adoption and import is available at www.landwirtschaft.lu.

In the Grand Duchy, the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) has been the central authority for animal health and welfare since 2022, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture.

Several veterinarians, including three animal welfare officers, work in the field daily to monitor the health and welfare of both farm animals and domestic animals (pets).

Members of the public can report suspected animal welfare violations by emailing help@deier.lu.