Basic Rules for Cat Owners
You can read the full Animal Welfare Law legislation which details the rules for cat owners in Spain, here we will give you a brief overview of some of the main points.
Because this is just an overview, it will not detail all of the elements of the law you must comply with, which is why it is important to read the legislation in full or obtain professional legal advice.
Many of the rules relating to owning a cat are the same as for dogs, but there are also a few differences. There are also different rules relating to cat colonies, or “street cats”. In the most basic overview, you must look after animals, care for their wellbeing, make sure they are healthy, and happy.
- Cats should be integrated into the family nucleus, in good health and hygiene.
- Breeding may only be carried out by persons responsible for the activity of breeding companion animals registered as such in the corresponding Registry.
- All cats must be identified by microchip and must be surgically sterilised before six months of age, except those registered in the Register of Companion Animal Breeders.
- The loss of a pet animal due to death must be accompanied by a document proving that it was cremated or buried by an officially recognised company.
- Euthanasia will only be justified under veterinary criteria and control with the sole purpose of avoiding suffering due to non-recoverable causes that seriously compromise the quality of life of the animal.
- Cats cannot be mutilated or subjected to permanent body modifications. The only exception to this is the identification systems by marking the ear of community cats and those necessary for therapeutic reasons to guarantee their health or to limit or cancel their reproductive capacity.
- Similar to dogs, cats cannot be kept on terraces, balconies, rooftops, storage rooms, basements, patios and similar or vehicles.
- A cat cannot be left home alone, unsupervised, for more than three consecutive days.
- Cats cannot be sold or purchased in pet shops, but from licenced breeders only. Pet shops can, however, facilitate adoption services for cats.
- Local authorities must monitor cats to ensure compliance, with a particular interest in ensuring that domesticated cats do not breed with street cats.
- A cat which goes outside the home without supervision is considered a “prowling” cat under the legislation.
Remember, this is just an overview of the key points for owning a cat in Spain, you should read the full Animal Welfare Law to understand the full rules, or contact a registered legal expert on the subject for advice.
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