Pets in the picture

TOWN halls are taking action before the government’s animal welfare law passes through the second tier of parliament, the Senate, and reaches the statute books.

A month after the launch of the ‘Jo també sóc de l’Alfás’ pet registration campaign, more than a hundred pets have already been registered in Alfaz del Pi. The aim of the register is to protect animals, reduce abandonment and abuse, and promote responsible pet ownership, noted the council. The procedure to register is simple and the application can be downloaded from the website (www.lal fas.es) or can also be collected in person at the town hall.

Then owners need to make an appointment by calling 96 588 73 28 ext 3367 which is available Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 20.00 on Wednesdays. The completed form must be accompanied by the owners TIE card, animal's vaccination record, RIVIA registration document and sterilisation and/or adoption certificate.

On completion, a tag with identification number will be issued which should be attached to the animal’s collar.

For residents that register throughout 2023 it will be free of charge.

In Guardamar del Segura, plans for a dog registration census which identifies animals from samples of their DNA were discussed at town hall on Monday. This would involve modifying the relevant bylaw, public awareness campaigns, creation of the census and collection of faeces samples for subsequent analysis and identification, a town hall spokesman noted.

“This is an initiative designed to minimise the negative impact caused by defecations and urine on public spaces,” he added.