- by croatiaweek
- in News
By Marina Bujan
ZAGREB, 5 October 2026 (Hina) – Croatia is home to more than 1.1 million dogs and cats, according to the latest available estimates, while animal welfare advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of existing protections.
Figures from the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) estimate that Croatia had around 709,000 dogs and 419,000 cats in 2024, or approximately 1.13 million animals in total.
The figures are estimates rather than an official nationwide register of all household pets.
The data was highlighted by Croatian animal welfare organisation Prijatelji životinja (Friends of Animals) ahead of World Animal Day, with the group saying that one of the country’s key challenges remains the lack of an effective specialised inspection system for animal protection.
Luka Oman, president of Prijatelji životinja, said citizens expect authorities to respond quickly to reports of animal abuse and neglect and to ensure that animals are effectively protected.
A protest held in June, following a series of serious cases involving animal abuse and neglect, demonstrated public concern over the issue, Oman told Hina.
He also highlighted the role of local authorities in prevention. Municipalities and cities have a legal obligation to monitor dog microchipping, including through household checks.
Oman said local authorities should also systematically fund the neutering of owned dogs and cats to prevent unwanted litters and help reduce the number of abandoned animals arriving at shelters.
Calls for tougher penalties
Prijatelji životinja is calling for tougher penalties for the torture and killing of animals, as well as the introduction of sexual exploitation of animals as a separate criminal offence.
The organisation also wants measures to better protect people, animals and the environment from the harmful effects of fireworks and other pyrotechnics.
Animal abandonment remains another major concern, with shelters and animal welfare organisations facing shortages of space, funding and volunteers.
Oman said volunteering and adoption were among the practical ways members of the public could help.
He also warned about the growing market for pet-related products and services, saying increased commercialisation could create a risk of animals being treated primarily as products shaped by market demand.
Significant progress over two decades
Despite the concerns, Oman said Croatia had made significant progress in animal protection over the past two decades, both through legislation and changes in public awareness.
Among the major developments he cited were the Animal Protection Act adopted in 2006 and new legislation introduced in 2017.
Croatia has since introduced or strengthened a number of protections, including a ban on breeding animals for fur production, the killing of abandoned animals in shelters and the use of wild animals in circuses. Cosmetic testing on animals has also been banned, while dog microchipping is mandatory and firecrackers and firecrackers chains have been prohibited.
Oman said the biggest challenge today was increasingly the implementation of existing legislation rather than simply introducing new rules.
“Regulations are effective only if there is efficient oversight, if citizens’ reports are dealt with promptly and if identified violations are sanctioned,” he said.
He argued that future efforts should therefore focus on improving enforcement, strengthening monitoring and continuing to develop the existing animal protection framework.
The organisation also points to a broader change in public attitudes towards animal welfare. Topics including adoption, responsible pet ownership and plant-based diets have become more prominent in public discussion, while consumers are increasingly considering how their choices affect animals.