Pet Alliance Europe spotlights the healing power of pets at annual #PetPower Night 2026

Brussels, 29 September 2026 – At its annual #PetPower Night, Pet Alliance Europe once again gathered almost 100 participants, including Members of the European Parliament, European Commission and Council officials, animal welfare organisations, and assistance and therapy animal associations—many joined by their four-legged friends.

Hosted at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU and held in anticipation of World Animal Day on 4 October, the event centred on the theme “A Different Kind of Care: Animals That Heal”, spotlighting the therapeutic power of the human-animal bond and its role in helping people rebuild their lives.

The evening’s guest speaker was Sanpa Dogs, part of Italy’s San Patrignano Community. Its presentation showed how caring for rescued dogs helps people in addiction recovery rebuild trust, responsibility and relationships, while preparing the dogs for adoption.

Speaking on behalf of Pet Alliance Europe, Roxane Feller (Director General, AnimalhealthEurope), Milica Jevtic (Secretary General, FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood) and Ann Criel (President, FECAVA) said:

“With 139 million households in Europe owning a pet, the bond between people and animals is one of society’s strongest. As Alliance partners, we are united in advocating for responsible ownership, ensuring high standards of care, and supporting EU policies that safeguard pet welfare.”

This year’s celebration came at a landmark moment for pets in Europe. In June 2026, the EU adopted its first-ever Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability (Regulation (EU) 2026/1818), now published in the Official Journal. Applying from 2028, it will raise the welfare of cats and dogs across Europe by setting, for the first time, common EU standards for their breeding, housing, care and handling. These standards extend to shelters, establishing minimum housing and care requirements that will ensure a high level of care for animals awaiting a new home — echoing the very work celebrated on the night.

Closing the evening, MEP Petras Auštrevičius reflected on the importance of advancing pet welfare in EU policymaking and announced the winners of the 2026 “Best Buddies in the Brussels Bubble” photo contest, now in its fifth edition. The two winning entries  – Bianca with MEP Letizia Moratti and Lilou with Markaya Henderson and Spencer Houcks from European Disability Forum – each received €500 to donate to an animal-related charity of their choice.

A pet ‘PAWtrait’ corner gave participants and their pets a keepsake of the evening.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Pet Alliance Europe

Pet Alliance Europe was formed in 2021 by AnimalhealthEurope and FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood, and was later joined by the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE). We are united in our belief that pet ownership has the potential to enhance the lives of all Europeans and brings many societal benefits. We refer to this as #PetPower. We are advocates for pet welfare and work with like-minded organisations to share information on how to care for pets. For more information, visit www.pet-power.eu.

About the #PetPower event & Photo Competition

Pet Alliance Europe holds an annual #PetPower event and also a pet photo competition, celebrating the cutest pets in the Brussels bubble. For details on entries and winners, please visit www.pet-power.eu.

About the Alliance Partners

AnimalhealthEurope represents companies that research, develop and manufacture veterinary medicines in Europe. Representing innovators and generics alike, as well as large, medium-sized and small companies, AnimalhealthEurope’s membership covers 90% of the European market for veterinary products.

FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood represents the pet food industry in Europe. While we work sustainably every day to provide nutritious, safe products that benefit pets, our work goes beyond pet food. Our work is also about pet wellbeing and how pets can enhance the lives of Europeans.

FVE represents veterinary organisations from 38 European countries (44 members and 2 observers). We also represent veterinarians working in different fields of the profession. FVE strives to enhance animal health, animal welfare, public health and the protection of the environment by promoting the veterinary profession.

FECAVA, the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations, represents more than 25,000 companion animal veterinarians in 39 European countries through its member associations. FECAVA strives to improve the veterinary care of pets through professional development. It also provides a voice for companion animal issues at European level and works closely with other European veterinary organisations and stakeholders.

About Sanpa Dogs

Sanpa Dogs is part of Italy’s San Patrignano Community. Founded nearly 50 years ago, San Patrignano has always viewed the human-animal bond as deeply meaningful and centres part of its addiction rehabilitation work around a dog shelter. People in the programme rediscover themselves by caring for dogs that have come from dire circumstances—seeing their own wariness and hesitation to trust reflected in their new four-legged companions, and learning through them the meaning of relationships, responsibility, and respect. As the dogs regain their trust in people, both find their way back: the participants towards society, and the dogs towards adoption.