Mochi's Clinic

Animal Welfare Law for Dogs and Cats: What's Changing

Law 7/2023 on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals is now underway in Spain. We clearly explain which rules affect your dog or cat and what remains pending.

This is general information: for any health concerns, consult your veterinarian.

The Reference Regulation in Spain

Law 7/2023, of March 28, on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals was published in the Official State Gazette on March 29, 2023.

It came into effect on September 29, 2023. Since then, people who live with companion animals in our country must comply with a series of basic obligations that we detail below.

Obligations in Effect: Identification and Time Limits

One of the main requirements you must already meet if you have a companion animal at home is identification via microchip.

This rule directly affects dogs, cats, and ferrets. In the specific case of cats, the law stipulates that they must have a microchip, and its practical implementation aligns with the corresponding regional registries.

Furthermore, the regulation establishes very clear limits on the maximum time you can leave your animals alone at home without direct supervision.

• Dogs: it is forbidden to leave a dog unsupervised or alone for more than 24 consecutive hours.
• Other companion animals: the general maximum limit without supervision is 3 consecutive days according to the general article.

Mandatory Sterilization for Cats

If you have a cat at home, you should pay special attention to the breeding rules set by the new state law.

Cats must be surgically sterilized before reaching six months of age to comply with current regulations.

The only exception contemplated for this obligation applies to those specimens duly registered as authorized breeders by breeders who are also registered.

Civil Liability Insurance for Dogs

Article 30.3 of the law establishes the obligation to contract and maintain civil liability insurance for third-party damages.

This policy must expressly include the people handling the animal during their daily walks and activities.

However, according to the joint information note from the Directorate General of Insurance and Pension Funds and the Directorate General of Animal Rights, this measure is not effectively applicable or generally enforceable.

You will have to wait for its definitive regulatory development to be approved for it to be generally mandatory throughout the national territory.

• Regional or local exception: it is mandatory if required by prior regulations of your autonomous community or municipality.
• Animal's activity: it is also mandatory if the type of activity or use of the dog determines it.
• Home insurance: home insurance policies that expressly cover damages from companion animals are fully valid for these purposes.

Training Course for Dog Owners

Article 30 of the regulation contemplates that people who intend to become dog owners will have to prove completion of a training course for dog ownership, which is also pending development on how and where it will be conducted.

The characteristics foreseen in the drafts indicate that it will be free of charge, valid indefinitely as it is done once for a lifetime, and will have a predominantly online format.

Despite the legal obligation being drafted in the text, it lacks immediate practical application for a very simple reason.

The regulations and the official platform responsible for its delivery and certification are still pending final approval by Royal Decree.

• Veterinary professionals are exempt from taking this future course.
• Animal behavior experts who are duly registered are also exempt.

«It's a good thing that in the town of Serranen we all know each other and help each other with these legal matters.»

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