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For most people, our beloved pets already form part of the family, but for the minority, they are seen as nothing more than a hindrance at best, or an inconvenience, and as such will never be considered part of the family unit. That is one of the many things that the new Animal Welfare Law is set to change when it comes into force later this month.

There has been lots of talk about the requirement for dogs to have civil liability insurance, which we will talk about another time, but there are so many more elements to this legislation that have been overlooked in the publicity.

In general terms, pets MUST now form part of the family nucleus, and must be welcomed into the home to live. Pets can no longer be kept on terraces, balconies, basements, and other similar places, as they are considered unsuitable.

However, for those pets which cannot be included into the home, it is still possible that pets can live in these areas, so long as they have their own suitable accommodation, in other words a kennel, for example, which is both big enough to accommodate the pet, and provides sufficient shelter from the elements, whether that is rain, for example, or heat. Pet owners in this circumstance must also make sure that the animal has adequate food, water, and toilet facilities.

You are also no longer allowed to leave your pet home alone for long periods of time. In general terms, the maximum amount of time you can leave your pet alone is 3 days, so long as they have access to food and water, for example, but in the case of dogs, the maximum permitted period is just 24 hours.

We will be featuring a handful of informative articles here in the runup to the law entering onto force, but if you would like more in-depth information, there is a website with has translated the entire legislation into English. You can read the full Animal Welfare Law at animalwelfarelaw.es

In addition, we have partnered with three local companies who can offer you tailor made advice, and provide some of the services which will be mandatory under the new Animal Welfare Law.

If you need more information about pet health or civil liability insurance, you can contact Jennifer Cunningham Insurances, who have local offices in Benijofar, La Marina, and Playa Flamenca. Their telephone number is 965 795 372, and you can visit their website at https://www.jennifercunningham.net/, or via Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/JCExpatServices/

For anything related to pet health and services such as sterilisation of microchipping, amongst others, you can contact Veterinary Clinic Eduardo’s Pets, located near Las Filipinas, Villamartin, on the Orihuela Costa. Their telephone number is 966 76 41 09, and you can visit their website at https://www.eduardospetsvet.com/, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Eduardospets/

For pet supplies, such as kennels, you can contact Madagascar Pets Pet Center Ciudad Quesada, located in Doña Pepa, near the Aldi and Food Co “Tesco” supermarkets. Their telephone number is 966 73 13 50, and their website is https://madagascarmascotas.com/tiendas/madagascar-mascotas-ciudad-quesada/

Please be sure to tell them you found out about them via TKO Radio, and they will do their best to answer any questions you might have, and play their part in ensuring you are both compliant with the new Animal Welfare Law, and that your pet has the best care and facilities.

This article was published by our friends at TKO Radio.