Protecting pets
New law approved by regional government
The Valencia government has passed a draft law for the welfare and keeping of pet animals.
THE VALENCIA government has passed a draft law for the protection, welfare and keeping of pet animals.
This draft has taken three years to reach the regional parliament after being proposed by the regional department of agriculture, rural development, climate emergency and ecological transition.
It is aimed at eradicating abandonment of pets and cruelty.
This law, one of the most advanced in the country, recognises animals as ‘ sentient nonhuman beings’ and replaces the terms ‘ master’ or ‘ owner’, with that of a ‘ responsible person ’.
Pets will also have the right to be fed and watered, have shelter, and any necessary veterinary care.
Measures have to be taken to avoid unwanted reproduction.
For the first time horses owned for leisure or sporting purposes are also considered as pets along with dogs, cats and ferrets.
Small reptiles and mammals legally sold in pet shops are also considered pets and will be covered by this future law.
The new law – which comes into force the day it is published in the regional bulletin ( DOGV) – will reinforce the role of town councils in the protection of pets’ rights, the obligations of the responsible persons to guarantee the fulfilment of these rights and the promotion of social awareness for compassionate behaviour towards pets through talks and courses at schools.
Anybody who finds an injured animal will be obliged to contact local authorities who will take responsibility for its care, as they have to have a 24hour animal collection and veterinary service.
Likewise, council workers will be obliged to scan dead animals found on roads for microchips.
Dogs and cats will no longer be on display at pet shops, aggressive training methods and circuses featuring wild animals are banned.
Releasing exotic pets into the countryside will be heavily penalised.
Owners are permitted to have a maximum of five pets per home, although councils will have flexibility to either reduce or increase this figure according to the pets’ living conditions.
In addition, councils will be able to implement a pet and breeder tax if they wish to do so.
On acquiring or adopting a pet, the new owner has seven days to register it on RIVIA ( Valencian regional pet registry).
Only adults over 18 are allowed to acquire a pet.
A register for those prohibited from having pets will be set up.
Fines will range up to € 45,000 and will be destined to cover the councils’ animal protection expenses.
Animal rescue associations will have to be included on a regional
register, and update the authorities every three months with details of the animals they have in their care, while volunteers fostering pets will only be allowed to foster a maximum of five animals.
Rescue centres have a maximum of 24 hours to inform RIVIA and their town hall if they pick up a microchipped pet.
Any strays can be put up for adoption after 20 days.
All pets up for adoption have
to be healthy, neutered or handed over with a contract for future neutering, if they are too young at the time of adoption.
Councils are obliged to control cat colonies using TNR ( trap, neuter, return) methods as well as running yearly neutering and adoption campaigns.
Euthanising of healthy animals will be strictly prohibited – pets can only be put to sleep for health or safety reasons.