Just a little more delay in implementing the measures for dog owners

Neither insurance nor a course for dog owners will be mandatory from Sept. 29, 2023 (!). The government acknowledges that it cannot yet apply all the provisions of the Animal Welfare Law "Ley de Protección de los derechos y el bienestar de los animales.

We have waited a while with our communication and told our customers to be patient because we are in contact with several insurance companies, animal organizations and town halls and they already told us to wait with spreading news because they themselves had not yet received clear instructions on how the law will be applied. With this you are now informed about the latest substantiated news.

The lack of a specific regulation forces the postponement of the obligation of some items of the standard that takes effect Sept. 29.

The Animal Welfare Act will take partial effect. Mandatory liability insurance for dog owners, training courses for new owners and the creation of a national pet registry will not yet be a reality, despite the law going into effect on Sept. 29. The reason? These items required specific additional regulations describing their characteristics, and to date, this does not exist.

The Ministry of Social Rights this week sent a circular to veterinary associations and other relevant government agencies acknowledging that the obligation to obtain liability insurance for all dogs will be postponed until the specific regulations are approved. For now, the obligation will remain only for potentially dangerous dogs.

"In strict legal terms, it does not actually apply until the regulatory development of this provision has taken place in accordance with what is set forth therein," the circular says with regard to liability insurance.

"These regulations are in the form of a Royal Decree and a fully functioning government is needed to approve them," ministerial sources said, confirming that the text is ready to be given the green light, pending a change in the political situation.

For the same reason, the entry into force of the training course to own a dog, the national pet registry and the registry of authorized breeders will also be delayed.

Procrastination is not procrastination

Nevertheless, the implementation of the law will come, the only question is when. We ourselves have already taken the necessary measures and can insure your pet according to the legal requirements that are (not yet) applicable. The insurance can be purchased from 35 euros per year (if included in your home insurance).

The rates for dog insurance per se, suppose the law will require that every pet needs a mandatory separate insurance we can offer in different formulas. Where the insurance can be extended from the legally required for 75 euros per year to the mandatory insurance extended with legal coverage and / or medical coverage.

We will keep you posted as more news on the application of the law comes to light.

Thank you.

Below we give you again the full contents of the Animal Welfare Act.

"Spanish animal welfare law: When will it take effect and what are the novelties in 2023?"

Basically, the new animal welfare law consists of three fundamental pillars: stop sacrificing (sacrificio cero), stop abandoning animals (abandono cero) and stop mistreating animals (maltrato cero). This new law is an important step because one in three households in Spain has at least one pet. It is estimated that there are more than 29 million pets in Spain, with dogs being the largest group at 9.3 million, and in order to guarantee the rights of these animals, this animal welfare law was created.

The 10 key points of Spain's new animal welfare law

Although the law is still changing, here are already 10 key points you need to know:

1. Prohibition on leaving a pet alone more than 3 days, 1 day in the case of dogs

The law prohibits leaving our pet or companion animal alone for more than 3 days or 72 hours. This period is reduced to 24 hours for dogs, which must be accompanied before that time.

Moreover, it is also forbidden to regularly keep our pet on terraces, balconies, roof terraces, storage rooms, basements, courtyards and the like or vehicles.

2. The sale of dogs, cats and ferrets may only be made by authorized breeders, without the involvement of intermediaries

In this way, the sale of these pets is regulated, and only those breeders with the relevant licenses are allowed to carry them out. The participation of intermediaries in the process is prohibited, as well as sales by individuals.

3. The classification of potentially dangerous varieties (PPP) remains in place

One of the last-minute changes was the change in the Animal Welfare Act project regarding the PPP Act, which would be replaced by sociability testing and the new designation of special-use dog.

In other words, the breeds Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu remain potentially dangerous breeds with all the obligations this entails for their owners: administrative license, short leash, muzzle, not being able to run loose in areas suitable for other dogs. As well as obtaining insurance for PPP dogs specifically designed to protect these breeds.

Regardless, not all has been said, as the General Directorate of Animal Rights remains committed to the idea of repealing the PPP law and introducing a sociability test for dogs classified as potentially dangerous, as well as large dogs.

4. The killing of animals for economic reasons is strictly prohibited

In this way, killing our pets can only be done for health or medical reasons, never for a financial or economic reason.

5. Mandatory sterilization of all cats over six months old

All cats should be spayed starting at the sixth month of life, regardless of the cat's breed, sex or situation.

6. Mandatory identification of cats and ferrets, like dogs, via microchip

In this way, there will be more control over cats and ferrets, as is currently done with dogs. The goal is to reduce abandonment and control several aspects related to these pets.

7. Mandatory responsible dog ownership training, the content of which is yet to be defined

All people who want to have a dog as a pet must prove that they have taken a mandatory course for keeping a dog that will be valid indefinitely. The goal is to train citizens in the proper care and maintenance of their dog. This training will be mandatory for both new owners and those already living with their dog in the home.

8. Obtain and maintain dog liability insurance.

Although it was already mandatory to have liability insurance for dogs throughout the Madrid region, the Animal Welfare Law stipulates that it will be mandatory for all dogs in Spain to have third-party liability insurance, with the aim of insuring any damage they may cause. At Segurantis we have this mandatory insurance for your pet on offer. For a quote do not hesitate to contact us.

9. Future establishment of a list of pets that can be kept at home

Within 24 months of the law's entry into force, the regulation will be adopted that develops an open and national list that will indicate to citizens which species of animals can be kept at home by Spaniards, as well as those species that, although they have been pets in the past, cannot be kept after the new law comes into force.

10. Dogs engaged in specific work, such as hunting, herding or security services, are excluded from this new law

As specified in the Official Gazette, dogs with specific activities such as hunting, herding or security are not covered by this new law, so they do not have to comply with everything it stipulates.

What if you are not in compliance with these new regulations

Not having insurance under the new legislation will be divided into 3 types of penalties: a minor, serious and very serious violation. This will range from a warning if you are not in order to repeated disregard of the rules. Not having a Chip will immediately be counted as serious. Fines will range from light 500 euros to serious 10, 000 euros and a high probability of confiscation of the animal (and the associated costs).

Contact us to set up your liability insurance. Your can regulate as little as 35 euros per year. Contact us for terms and conditions.

Segurantis team is ready for you!