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Spain’s Animal Welfare Act has been in force since 2023, but not every announced change has yet been fully implemented. The most important rules for dogs, cats and ferrets – from microchips to leaving them alone.
The dog is left tied up just outside the supermarket, the cat is left alone in the flat for the weekend, there’s a bowl of water on the balcony, and the car window is left slightly open. What may seem harmless in everyday life is now subject to much stricter legal regulations in Spain than it used to be.
The basis for this is Law 7/2023 on the protection of animal rights and welfare. The Spanish Animal Welfare Act has been in force since 2023 and has clarified many of the obligations for pet owners. Furthermore, under Spanish civil law, animals have not been regarded as property since 2021, but as sentient beings. For owners, this means greater responsibility – not only morally, but also legally.
Dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified by microchip and registered with the relevant autonomous community. On the Costa Blanca, the Comunidad Valenciana is responsible for this. Anyone who adopts an animal, brings one in from abroad or moves within Spain should have the registration details checked and updated.
If an animal goes missing, this must be reported within 48 hours. This requirement is intended to help distinguish more clearly between abandoned animals, lost animals and illegal transfers.
The law also sets limits on how long animals may be left alone. Dogs may be left unsupervised for a maximum of 24 hours. For other pets, the limit is three days. The key factor here is not simply whether food and water are provided; care, supervision and attention must actually be organised.
A balcony is not a permanent place for a dog, a roof terrace is no substitute for exercise, and a car is not a waiting room. Dogs and cats must not be kept permanently on balconies, terraces, in courtyards, cellars, storage rooms or vehicles.
Cars are a particular concern. Especially during the Spanish summer, a vehicle can quickly become a hazard – even in the shade or with the window slightly open. The law does not prioritise convenience here, but the welfare of the animal.
Tying a dog up outside shops is also a tricky issue. A dog left waiting unattended outside a supermarket, a bar or a chemist’s may be regarded as a breach of the rules. What matters is not how brief the shopping trip was intended to be, but whether the animal was actually under the control of a responsible person.
There is no nationwide, blanket leash requirement for all dogs. National law sets out the framework, but many of the details are regulated by the local authorities. Consequently, the regulations may differ between Dénia, Calp, Benidorm, Alicante, Santa Pola, Torrevieja and smaller coastal towns.
This applies in particular to beaches, promenades, parks, markets, festivals and busy areas. Some local authorities only allow dogs on certain sections of beach during the off-season, whilst others designate dog-friendly beaches or tighten the rules during the summer.
Bars, restaurants and hotels are also free to decide for themselves whether to allow animals on their premises, provided that hygiene and safety are ensured. If dogs are not permitted, this must be clearly indicated. Separate access rights apply to assistance dogs.
As a general rule, cats must be neutered before they are six months old, unless they are officially registered for breeding. The aim is to reduce uncontrolled breeding – a major problem for animal shelters and cat colonies in many local authorities.
Restrictions have also been placed on the sale of pets. Dogs, cats and ferrets may no longer be sold through pet shops. Sales must now be conducted through registered breeders; direct online sales are prohibited. Anyone acquiring a pet should therefore ensure that it has a microchip, a vaccination certificate, proof of origin and correct registration details.
Separate regulations continue to apply to dogs classified as potentially dangerous. Depending on the circumstances, a licence, third-party liability insurance, a lead, a muzzle and other requirements may be mandatory. These rules have not been abolished by the new Animal Welfare Act.
There have been many announcements regarding the Animal Welfare Act since 2023. Not everything has yet been implemented exactly as it was discussed at the time. It is therefore important to distinguish between current day-to-day obligations and matters that are still awaiting full practical implementation or detailed regulations.
The central government pet register is provided for by law. In practice, however, the registers kept by the autonomous communities remain the decisive factor. For pet owners on the Costa Blanca, this means that dogs, cats or ferrets must be correctly registered in the Valencian Community.
The compulsory training course for dog owners is also enshrined in law, but has not yet been fully implemented as a standardised system across the board in everyday life. The situation is similar with regard to general third-party liability insurance for dogs. Whilst it is provided for, its practical application continues to depend on final regulations and, in some cases, on regional or local requirements. Special insurance obligations already apply to potentially dangerous dogs.
Another point of criticism is the special status accorded to hunting dogs, herding dogs and certain working dogs. They do not fall under the same central scope of protection as traditional pets in all respects.
According to the report „Él nunca lo haría“ by the Fundación Affinity, more than 292,000 dogs and cats were taken in by animal shelters and welfare organisations in Spain in 2024. Abandonment and loss therefore remain among the country’s major animal welfare issues.
The law alone cannot solve this problem. It requires inspections, effective registers, local authorities with sufficient staff, and reputable breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously, not just when faced with the threat of a fine. However, the legal standard has shifted: in Spain today, a pet is no longer a possession that can simply be left somewhere or passed on without a second thought. It is a living being whose welfare is protected by law.
Spain’s animal welfare legislation has become stricter and more binding. Many day-to-day obligations are already in force: microchipping, registration, reporting lost animals, care, protection from the heat, a ban on keeping animals on balconies or terraces on a permanent basis, and stricter rules on sales and breeding.
The practical implementation of the central register, dog training courses and general third-party liability insurance has not yet been fully finalised. This is precisely where pet owners should check what applies nationwide and what additional requirements apply in their local authority or autonomous community.
One thing is clear: pet ownership is taken more seriously in Spain than it used to be. A quick trip to the shops, a visit to the beach, time spent on the balcony or going away for the weekend are no longer trivial matters. Animal welfare begins precisely where everyday life becomes convenient.
Source reference: This article is based on Law 7/2023 on the protection of animal rights and welfare, the reform of the Criminal Code by Organic Law 3/2023, information from the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, and data from the Affinity Foundation.
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