Pet ownership in Spain is a serious matter as Spanish citizens, expats and immigrants alike must abide with the country’s strict laws on animal care management. While all countries have animal welfare and protection laws in place, Spain has some unique legal policies pertaining to pet care management. If in case, you have plans of moving to Spain whist bringing your pet along to live with you, it’s important to have awareness of such laws.
Under the guidance of European Union laws for animal care and protection, animals are sentient beings. However, wild animals including those in captivity and used for hunting are exempted. The bulls in Spain’s bullfighting rings are included among the exceptions.
Basically, animal care laws in the country require owners of companion animals to not mistreat their pets, or expose them to unnecessary danger; as well as make sure that the animals in one’s care will not pose as threats to the safety and well being of the general public.
Examples of Animal Care Management Laws in Spain
Some laws governing animal care management are incorporated in other Spanish legislation such as the “Ley de Propiedad Horizontal’ (Horizontal Property Law). In this law people residing in common living areas, including apartments and private estates, are protected against illegal, unhealthy, dangerous acts and disturbances.
1. This law also gives building owners the right not to allow animals in their premises, even if to be kept inside homes or kept on a leash. Such prohibitions must be stated in the Statutes of the Residents Association. Otherwise, the absence of any provision prohibiting animals in the building and its surroundings will be taken to mean that pets are allowed.
However, despite the absence of prohibitions, pet owners must ensure that they practice proper animal care to make sure their pets do not pose as risks to healthy, safe and peaceful living.
2 Pets that are constantly loud and causing ruckus can be considered as committing acts of disturbances in residential areas.
3. Animals infested with ticks, fleas or any type of parasite, whilst smelling bad for lack of proper care may be taken away from their owners. Such conditions are not only dangerous to a community but is also a form of animal mistreatment.
4. Pet owners taking medication or supplements must make sure to keep drugs out of reach of pets to avoid poisoning the animal. Even vitamins or weigh-loss supplements that are usually made from natural or organic materials are unsafe as far as animals are cdoncerned.
A fat burning supplement like Reduslim España may be marketed as safe because the medicine has no resulting side effects. However, not all organic components of this weight-loss supplement have been tested as safe for animals.
5. Where dogs are allowed to romp and roam around freely inside a garden area, you are required to put a “Beware of the Dog” sign as warning to whoever will be coming over to your house.
6. When bringing one’s dog in public places, in addition to keeping the animal in a leash, you must also be prepared to cleaning after any waste or mess made by your pet.
7. Spanish laws require providing a suitable accommodation. While pets may like staying on terraces or someplace outside the house, leaving them outside for an extended period of time is against the law.
8. The law also requires keeping animals up to date with vaccination shots, as well as receive periodic medical checkups to make sure they are free from any disease.
9. If in case you are caring for an animal generally regarded as dangerous, it is your duty to register the animal in the ‘Registro de Animales Potencialmente Peligrosos’ in the registry of the municipality in which you and your pet reside. Registration includes submitting a photo of your photo as owner and that of your pet.
While these are only examples of Spain’s legal requirements for animal care management, be in the know of other animal welfare laws enforced by the autonomous regions of the country.