Companion Animal Stakeholder Summit 2025

This article is part of our special report New pet-friendly policies can strengthen the human-animal bond, improving health.

At the recent Companion Animal Stakeholder Summit 2025, participants explored the importance of the human-animal bond, highlighting its physical and mental health benefits as well as the ongoing challenges across Europe. Key topics included the need to harmonise regulations, improve access to veterinary care, and support pet-friendly urban planning.

The summit also featured the launch of a new Human-Animal Bond Handbook. We spoke to stakeholders about how stronger policy recognition of this bond could enhance both human and animal wellbeing across the EU.