During the last term of office, the Spanish Law 7/2023, of March 28, on protecting the rights and well-being of animals, was approved. This new regulation ensures pets' safety and introduces important changes that pet owners must respect.
Ultimately, the law aims to protect the rights and dignity of animals that live in the human environment and prevent and punish animal mistreatment, abandonment and unjustified sacrifice.
The law came into force on 29th September 2023 and applies to the entire Spanish territory, although some autonomous communities may establish additional or more restrictive rules. As a result of this, many are asking the million-dollar question: which pets can be kept at home in Spain?
What animals can you have at home in Spain?
The Spanish Animal Welfare Law establishes criteria to determine which animals can be kept at home. According to this regulation, pets must meet the following conditions:
- Be dogs, cats or ferrets, or belong to species considered domestic animals according to the Spanish Animal Health Law.
- Not be included in the catalogue of invasive exotic species or protected wild species at the state and regional level or by European Union Law and international treaties.
- Have ecological, ethological and physiological needs compatible with life in the human environment and not be a risk to people or other animals' health or safety due to their aggressiveness, venom or size.
- Be on the list of pets the Government must prepare in the coming months, with the Scientific and Technical Committee report for the Protection and Rights of Animals.
Some examples of animals that can be kept at home are rabbits, guinea pigs, turtles, hedgehogs, parrots, lovebirds or parakeets.
What animals cannot be kept at home in Spain from 2023?
This law establishes a series of requirements and prohibitions for the ownership of pets, which affect owners, merchants and breeders. Among the animals that cannot be kept at home are the following:
- Wild or exotic animals that are not suited to living with people and may pose a risk to public health, safety or the environment. These animals may only be kept in authorised centres and for conservation, research or education purposes.
- Animals subjected to mutilations or permanent modifications that alter their appearance or behaviour, except for veterinary or identification reasons. These practices are considered a form of animal abuse and can lead to fines or even prison sentences.
- Animals that have not been identified by microchip or tattoo or that do not have the corresponding health documentation. These mandatory requirements ensure disease control and traceability and prevent abandonment.
The animal welfare law aims to promote responsible and respectful ownership of companion animals, recognising them as sentient beings.
Fines for having a prohibited pet in Spain
The Law establishes a series of fines and sanctions for people who have prohibited animals at home.
These sanctions can vary depending on the severity of the infraction, which is classified as minor, serious or very serious. Minor infractions can lead to fines of €500 to €10,000, serious ones from €10,001 to €50,000 and very serious ones from €50,001 to €200,000.
Furthermore, in some cases, the animal may be removed, the owner prohibited from owning other animals, and even prison sentences may be imposed.
What happens to the animals that already live at home?
Many pets become illegal with this new law, as they are included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Exotic Species. If you have an illegal animal at home, you can keep it but must notify the corresponding authority.
You must find out which entity is in charge of this procedure in your community since you must inform the authorities. Under no circumstances should pets be abandoned. This could harm the animals and alter the environment, possibly having severe consequences for people and other species.