Last Friday, September 29, marked an important milestone in the field of animal welfare with the entry into force of the long-awaited Animal Welfare Law. However, what was anticipated as a positive step towards better protection of animals and more responsible ownership has triggered a series of inquietudes and unexpected consequences.
This law, while aiming to raise the standards of care for animals in Spain, has encountered challenges due to the lack of regulations that adequately detail its provisions. This ambiguity has led to great uncertainty among both pet owners and pet stores and veterinarians.
One of the most worrying side effects is the increase in cases of dog abandonment. The Sara Animal Shelter, in Lanzarote, has observed an increase in the arrivals of dogs abandoned by their owners in recent weeks. Obelesa Hernández, a member of the Board of Directors of the shelter, explains that "we are afraid that the lack of understanding of the law will generate a significant increase in the abandonment of these pets."
It is important to note that some of the most controversial measures of this law, such as the obligation to have civil liability insurance to cover damages to third parties and the completion of a responsible ownership training course, have already been implemented in Nordic countries such as Sweden and Denmark for more than a decade.
Hernández emphasizes the usefulness of these insurances, which provide owners with coverage in case their pet causes damage to people or property. "For an annual cost of approximately 50 euros for large dogs and 13 euros for small dogs, these insurances provide peace of mind in the event of incidents," she says.
Despite the concerns and questions raised by this law, there are positive aspects that should not be overlooked, such as the introduction of periodic veterinary check-ups, pet registrations, care adapted to the size and needs of the animals, as well as mandatory sterilization.
However, the registration regulations for all pets, including exotic animals, have raised questions about how to properly notify and manage this measure, especially in the case of animals that do not fall into the category of "companion animals".
In addition, the stricter regulation on euthanasia in cases of chronic diseases has generated debates on how to address situations in which treatment may be costly for owners.
A major change introduced by this law is the prohibition of the exhibition of dogs and cats in pet stores, promoting the direct acquisition of pets through accredited breeders and with animals registered as breeders, with the aim of reducing animal trafficking and preventing situations of abuse.
Despite the initial uncertainties and challenges, the Animal Welfare Law ultimately seeks to improve the quality of life of animals and promote responsible ownership. Obelesa Hernández makes an urgent call to pet owners: "Do not abandon your animals; they must remain part of the family."