The Animal Welfare Act: what you need to know if you live with a pet

Ley 7/2023 (the Animal Welfare Act), on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals, has been in force since 29 September 2023. It applies to companion animals all over Spain. It does not apply to hunting dogs, hunting packs (rehalas) or animals that work with professionals, such as rescue dogs or those of the security forces.

What it requires of you

• Treat your animal as a sentient being and give it decent living conditions (art. 24).
• Train it without methods that cause it suffering, anxiety or fear (art. 24.2.b).
• Keep it identified at all times. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip registered with your autonomous community's register (art. 24.2.f).
• Report it to the authorities within 48 hours at most if it goes missing or is stolen (art. 24.2.g).
• Take it to the vet: for the compulsory treatments and the check-ups that are set (art. 24.2.e).
• Pick up its poo and clean up its wee with biodegradable products (art. 26.e).
• Neuter cats before six months of age, unless they are listed as breeding animals of a registered breeder (art. 26.i).

What it bans

• Leaving any animal unsupervised for more than three days in a row. For dogs, more than 24 hours (art. 27.i).
• Usually keeping dogs and cats on terraces, balconies, roof terraces, in storage rooms, basements, yards or vehicles (art. 27.e).
• Leaving it alone in a closed car in conditions that put its life at risk (art. 24.2.d).
• Mutilations, such as cutting ears or tails for looks. They are only allowed for a certified veterinary reason (art. 27.b).
• Electric, pulse, punishment or choke collars, and any tool that could injure it (art. 27.ñ).
• Tying it to a moving motor vehicle (art. 27.f).
• Selling dogs, cats and ferrets in pet shops: only registered breeders can sell them (art. 27.l).
• Putting them down, except for veterinary euthanasia to avoid suffering that cannot be relieved (art. 27.a).

What is still pending

The law provides for a free training course for dog owners and compulsory third-party liability insurance for all dogs (art. 30). But the content of the course and the amount of the insurance depend on a regulation that, as of this article, we have not found published in the BOE. In the meantime, insurance is compulsory for potentially dangerous dogs, under their own rules.

And your region and your town council

Autonomous communities have their own animal protection laws, and town councils have their own by-laws. They can ask for more, such as registering a dog's DNA, or set where dogs can be off the lead. Ask at your town council.

Summary of Ley 7/2023 (BOE-A-2023-7936) as published in November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.