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Basic Rules for Dog Owners 1080 720 Mark Nolan
Dog care in Spain

Basic Rules for Dog Owners

Last week, we explained that the new Animal Welfare Law coming into force in September covers much more than just insurance. This week, we will give a bullet point list of some of the key requirements for dog owners.

In the most basic overview, you must look after animals, care for their wellbeing, make sure they are healthy, and happy. Dogs must have adequate living space, suitable to the breed and their size. You must exercise your dog frequently. Your dog must have regular health checks.

Your dog must have identification (microchip), which must be kept up to date. If your dog is lost, you must report it to the authorities within 48 hours.

Your dog cannot be left alone in closed or open spaces where they could cause damage.

If your dog cannot live within your home, they must be provided with their own adequate accommodation that protect the dog from things like the weather, and they must have sanitary facilities. The dog must also be provided with access to food and drink.

You must not permit uncontrolled breeding. Only registered breeders can breed animals for sale.

You must not allow your dog to deposit urine of faeces in the street unless you clean it afterwards.

You must pass a training test to prove you can look after your dog. Once you have completed this test, it will be valid indefinitely. This course will be free.

You must take out civil liability insurance for your dog. This cover must be in place for the entire life of the animal. This applies to all dogs.

If your dog dies, you must obtain an official document stating that it has been cremated or buried in accordance with the rules by a licenced company.

Your dog cannot wander freely in public spaces without supervision.

Dogs cannot be kept on terraces, balconies, basements, etc. They must have adequate space and accommodation. They must also never be left in vehicles.

Your dog must not be tied to a moving vehicle.

Your dog cannot be left home alone, unsupervised, for more than 24 consecutive animals. It is 3 days in the case of other animals, but 24 hours for dogs.

Dogs ARE allowed in commercial premises, unless the venue expressly prohibits them, in which case they must display a sign prominently. Dogs are not allowed in areas such as those used for food preparation or storage.

Remember, the actual rules are more complex and more detailed, and you can read the full legislation, translated into English, at animalwelfarelaw.es. Next week, we will talk about cats.

This article was published by our friends at The Leader Newspaper in Spain.

All Dog Owners will Have to Sit an Animal Care Training Course 1080 720 Mark Nolan
Dog training

All Dog Owners will Have to Sit an Animal Care Training Course

As the new Animal Welfare Law comes into force, it will no longer be possible to buy most pets from pet shops (already the case in some areas), but if you want to acquire a pet dog or cat, for example, you can only obtain them from licenced breeders, who must be officially registered.

When you purchase your pet, you also now enter into a contract of care, where you commit to look after your pet, and in the case of dogs, there is an additional requirement to sit and complete a training course on how to care for your pet dog.

The good news is that the course is free, according to the Government, and online. You should therefore be wary of the inevitable practice where people attempt to charge for the service.

The bad news, in some ways, is that ALL dog owners will have to sit and complete this training course, including those who already have dogs as companions, and irrespective of how long you have already cared for your pet pooch.

The course will be made available shortly, and for those existing dog owners who might be panicking, don’t worry just yet, as although the completion of the course is mandatory, or you face a fine of up to 10,000 euro, a two-year grace period has been put in place to allow time for everyone to complete the course.

The objective of this course is to provide dog owners with the basic knowledge necessary for the management, care and coexistence with these animals. Additionally, if you plan to adopt a dog, it is important to keep in mind that you will need to complete the course before the dog is allowed home with you. This requirement ensures that future owners are properly prepared to care for and raise their pet responsibly.

If you would like more in-depth information, there is a website which 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 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.

Pet Owners – It´s Not ONLY About Civil Liability Insurance 1080 769 Mark Nolan
Pets in Spain

Pet Owners – It´s Not ONLY About Civil Liability Insurance

Although we have been covering the development of the new Animal Welfare Law since it was first conceived, you may have seen recent reports stating that all dogs need civil liability insurance this month, when the law enters into force, and whereas this is true, insurance is not the only requirement for pet owners to comply with the law.

At the tail end of last week, there was talk that the Government would not implement the requirement for civil liability insurance, but in the absence of an official statement, it must be assumed that this will still take place, as it is enshrined by law. However, a key point is that civil liability insurance is different to what many people believe “pet insurance” is, as pet insurance traditionally has been mostly for covering vet bills. Civil liability insurance is different and covers damage or injury to third parties.

However, some household insurance policies already include this. Others include it, but with restrictions, so the first thing to do is to check your existing policy and talk with your insurance agent.

That said, traditional pet insurance that covers vet bills may also be advisable in some situations in addition to civil liability insurance. The new law also prevents pets from being euthanised, except by the decision of the vet to prevent suffering. That means that there could be situations where your pet is not ill enough to be put to sleep, but is ill enough to require prolonged medical treatment.

“If there is a treatment that allows the animal to continue living in a dignified manner, regardless of the costs, the law will oblige owners to provide their pets with the necessary care to continue with their lives. This is where it is especially important to have health insurance that can cover the high veterinary costs that may arise in these situations,” according to Joaquín de los Reyes, director of business development at MAPFRE Spain.

On account of both thee matters, the internet has seen a 41% increase in searches for civil liability insurance, and an 18% increase in pet healthcare insurance in August compared to July, according to the Rastreator’s pet insurance comparator. Incidentally, there are also combined insurance policies available from some providers.

There are many other elements that pet owners are obliged to satisfy, which we will explain in brief in the runup to the law entering into force, starting with dogs next week, but in the meantime, if you would like to consult the legislation in full, translated into English, you can do so at animalwelfarelaw.es

This article was published by our friends at The Leader Newspaper in Spain.

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