THE NEW LAW coming in effect as of 29 September 2023. 17/2021
Please understand that in the making of this law the Colegio de Veterinarios has not been consulted or involved.
The new law is for the protection of animals and is considering them to be living beings with feelings. The law does not include bulls or hunting dogs, they have their own laws.
The animals included in the law are on the Positive list
-for now only dogs, cats and ferrets are on the list.
-pigs are definitely not on the list.
-this list is still in the process of being completed- expected September 2024
-if they are not on the list then they need to be registered as núcleo zoológico, and not allowed to be feed, cought or transported without authorization.
Rules for dogs, cats and ferrets
-when over 3 months must be micro chipped, have a passport, and a yearly rabies vaccination.
-must have a liability insurance (seguro de responsabilidad civil) which is normally included in your house insurance. Check with your insurance company.
-all cats need to be neutered before 6 months of age or be inscribed as breeding animals in the registro de criadores de animales.
-breeding of dogs is only allowed when inscribed in the registro de criadores de animales. Puppies and kittens may only be micro chipped and registered to an owner with the number of the registry. Otherwise it is considered to be an abandoned animal and will have to go to a shelter. If your pet accidentally gets pregnant you must inscribe directly.
-the owner of a dog must do a free online course before getting a dog. The idea behind this course is to stop the impulsive acquisitions of animals and their abandonment. The course will help future owners to become knowledgeable of what it implies to take care of an animal. It will be valid for ever but still has to be created.
-if you already have a dog then the course must be completed within 2 years.
-the rules for PPP dogs will stay the same.
-no animals are allowed to be left alone for more than 3 days, in the case of dogs this is 24 consecutive hours.
-it is forbidden to tie a dog up outside a shop or to let it wander around in public areas without the presence of the owner, they cannot be left habitually on terraces, balconies, rooftops etc, or left alone in the car.
-dogs will be allowed in the taxi, bus, train, restaurants and on the beach unless it is explicitly (sign) forbidden.
-no more than 5 dogs can be registered to one owner or they will have be registered as a núcleo zoótecnico.
-for the training of dogs the law prohibits the use of electrical collars, impulse collars, physical punishment or suffocating. Education should be done without provoking fear or pain.
-if your pet gets lost you have to communicate the loss within 48 hours through your veterinarian, who will also check your actual data.
-the abandonment of animals is a crime. The penalty is up to 50.000 euros. And if it has put the animal in danger then also 1-6 months of prison or 1-3 months community service can be given.
-when the animal dies, proof of incineration or burial must accompany the baja registral of the microchip
-the sacrificio zero implies that animals cannot be euthanized because there is nowhere to put them, they are old, have a treatable condition or for financial reasons. Euthanasia may only be done by an accredited veterinarian, and is only justified by the purpose to avoid suffering from non-recuperable reasons that compromise the quality of life.
Ayuntamiento (townhall)
-each townhall is responsible for retrieving animals from the streets and must have a shelter – either private or municipal- to take them to.
-they must be available 24 hours a day and provide for emergency care.
-they are responsible for the cat colonies.
Cat colonies
-all cat colonies need to be registered at the Ayuntamiento.
-the person responsible for the feeding etc. will be given a contract as a volunteer. They will be given an ID card. No other person is allowed to feed or remove these cats.
-all cats must be micro chipped (registered to the Ayuntamiento), neutered before the 6 months and vaccinated for rabies every year and treated for worms and external parasites.
-a non- micro chipped stray cat may not be neutered without a implanting a microchip and receiving the obligatory treatments.
Fines for not compelling with the law are from 500 to 50.000 euros.
Central registration system for Spain for the protection of animals. (SERPA)
-Registro Nacional de Animales de Compañia
-Registro Nacional de Entidades de Protección Animal
-Registro Nacional de Criadores de Animales de Compañía
-Registro Nacional de Profesionales de Comportamiento Animal
-Registro Nacional de Núcleos Zoológicos de Animales de Compañía (NZ)
-Registro Nacional de Inhabitilaciones para la Tendencia y Actividades relacionados con Animales
