If you have a pet in Spain, or you're thinking about getting one, you may have seen conflicting claims online about Spain's new Animal Welfare Law. There has been a lot of talk on social media, and not all of it is accurate. Here is what the law actually says.
One common misunderstanding is that the law caps how many pets you can keep at home. It does not. Limits on the number of animals in a household are set by autonomous communities and municipalities, not by this national law. In Madrid and Malaga, for example, the local limit is five animals, but this varies by region.
If you have more pets than your local limit allows, you can register as a "zoological nucleus" in your area. This puts your information into a national system rather than putting you in breach of the rule.
The details on pet limits depend on where you live, so it is always worth checking with your local authorities for the most current rules. But the core aim of this law is responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.
Beyond the pet-limit question, the law brings several other changes worth knowing about:
- A mandatory course for dog owners, aimed at promoting responsible pet care and behaviour.
- A requirement for liability insurance, so you are financially covered if your pet is involved in an incident.
- A list of animals that are now prohibited as pets, to protect both the animals and the public.
- A ban on pet stores selling dogs or cats, to encourage adoption instead.
