What is the relationship between my insurance and the new Animal Welfare Act?

The new Animal Welfare Act is intended to protect animals, regulate their care and possession, and impose penalties for those who do not fulfil the regulations related to their welfare. Occident would like to clarify your queries about the implications of this law.

29 September 2023

The law is already in force, but it will not be fully applicable until its regulatory development is executed.

Companion animals included

Dogs, cats, ferrets, wild species on a positive list, non-wild production animals and falconry birds and aquarium animals not included in the catalogue of protected wild species or in the catalogue of invasive exotic species.

Requirements for dog owners

A training course for new owners, a ban on leaving dogs unattended for more than 24 hours and a compulsory civil liability insurance are some of the requirements.

Using a microchip

Compulsory for dogs, cats, ferrets and banding for birds.

Identification and registration

Identification by a veterinarian and registration in the Companion Animal Register of the Autonomous Community.

Sterilisation and vaccination

Vaccination is compulsory; sterilisation is compulsory for adoptions and is also regulated for cat colonies. However, such cats which are considered "community cats" would be the responsibility of the local councils.

FAQs

The Animal Welfare Act came into force on 29 September 2023, although the obligation to take out and keep in force civil liability insurance for dogs will become effectively applicable when the regulatory development takes place.

Nonetheless, we must take into consideration the various regional and local regulations that already lay down the need, regardless of breed, to have civil liability insurance for dogs, such as in the Community of Madrid or the Basque Country.

Furthermore, in the case of special handling dogs, the Law already required the contracting and validity of a civil liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €120,000.

Occident's Pet insurance and Home insurance include the civil liability cover required to own dogs.

To obtain the certificate to prove the civil liability cover, you need to contact your mediator.

The Animal Welfare Act defines what type of animals can be deemed companion animals.

The accepted animals are: dogs, cats, ferrets, wild species on a positive list, non-wild production animals and falconry birds and aquarium animals not included in the catalogue of protected wild species or in the catalogue of invasive exotic species.

However, the positive list of pets, which will include the wild species that can be kept as pets, will be published later on.

In order to keep a dog as a pet, it is necessary to prove that you have taken a compulsory training course for dog ownership, which will be valid indefinitely and free of charge.

Furthermore, the new law requires that a civil liability insurance policy be taken out for damages to third parties for the lifetime of the animal.

The Animal Welfare Act prohibits leaving any pet alone for over 3 consecutive days.

In the case of dogs, this period may not exceed 24 consecutive hours.

Furthermore, it is prohibited to keep dogs and cats on terraces, balconies, roof terraces, storage rooms, basements, courtyards and the like, or in vehicles on a regular basis.

Currently, the Animal Welfare Act establishes that it is mandatory to identify dogs, cats and ferrets by microchip. Birds must be identified by banding from birth.

Following identification by an authorised veterinarian, they must be registered in the Companion Animal Register of the Autonomous Community in which they reside.

The Animal Welfare Act establishes a gradual penalty system. Thus, they are classified as:

Minor violations: They entail a warning penalty or fine of 500 to 10,000 euros.
Serious violations: They entail a penalty of 10,001 to 50,000 euros.
Very serious violations: They entail a penalty of 50,001 to 200,000 euros.

FAQs

What is the relationship between my insurance and the new Animal Welfare Act?

29 September 2023

Companion animals included

Requirements for dog owners

Using a microchip

Identification and registration

Sterilisation and vaccination

Download our infographic!

FAQs

When will civil liability insurance for dogs be compulsory?

How can I prove that I have civil liability insurance cover for a dog?

Which animals are deemed to be companion animals under the law?

What are the new requirements for adopting or acquiring a dog?

Can a pet be left alone at home?

Is it compulsory to identify a pet with a microchip?

What are the fines for breaking this new law?

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