Dog owners in Catalonia should ensure their animals are identified and check that they hold the required third-party liability insurance, under Spain’s animal welfare framework. Municipalities are also responsible for a 24-hour service to collect and provide veterinary care for lost and abandoned animals.

Spain’s Congress approved a reform of the Civil Code that changed animals’ legal status from objects to sentient beings. The change also amended the Mortgage Law and Civil Procedure Law, according to reporting on the legislation published in December 2021.

Animals are treated as sentient beings rather than inanimate objects under the reformed Civil Code.

Law 7/2023 set rules on identification and insurance

Law 7/2023 on animal protection and welfare was published in Spain’s Official State Gazette on 29 March 2023. It took effect on 29 September 2023, after a six-month period intended to allow owners and animal-sector organisations to adapt.

  • Dogs must be covered by third-party liability insurance throughout their lives, including cover for people responsible for the animal.
  • Only identified animals may be adopted or transferred.
  • Surgical procedures are limited to medical or therapeutic situations, while actions harmful to animals are prohibited.

The source material does not specify the minimum insurance amount, stating that it is to be established by regulation.

Municipal emergency services for lost animals

Article 22 of the welfare legislation assigns municipalities responsibility for collecting and accommodating lost and abandoned animals in animal protection centres. They must provide an emergency collection and veterinary-care service available 24 hours a day.

Owners whose dog is lost should contact their local council’s animal collection or emergency service. Municipalities may run the service directly or through private organisations, and may collaborate with animal-protection groups.

Reported by lavanguardia.com, Xosé Hermida, Esther Sánchez, aldf.org, Maria Teresa Velasco, TestSon, La Vanguardia Catalonia.