For the contact information of English-speaking vets, boarding kennels and other local pet and animal services and suppliers, click the link above.

Pets (animales domésticos or mascotas) are defined as animals kept for company.

General Rules for Pet Owners in Spain

All domestic pets in Spain must be identified by microchip or by a clearly readable tattoo. The tattoo will only be accepted as a means of identification until 3 July 2011.

Vaccination against rabies is compulsory. It is also advisable to have dogs vaccinated against other diseases such as distemper and hardpad. Cats should be immunised against feline gastro enteritis and typhus.

There is no law against dogs fouling public places, however people are becoming increasingly sensitive about it and there are specific rules within certain places, such as urban parks.

Dogs should be kept on a lead in public places.

Generally, dogs are permitted on trains. Sometimes they may need to be contained in a pet carrier, or they may have to be muzzled. Dogs normally travel at half the fare of a 2nd class ticket; this charge is payable directly to the conductor. 

Veterinarians 

The standard of Spanish vets is considered to be very high. See the red box link at the top of the page for contact information of local English-speaking vets. 

Buying & Owning a Pet

The seller of a domestic animal has to provide the following documents:

• Sale certificate (Contrato de compra-venta)
• Identification tattoo (3 letters and 3 figures) or microchip number and identity card (Formulario de identificación canina).
• Vaccination book signed by the vet.
• Original pedigree (if applicable)

The new owner of the pet has to:

• Vaccinate the animal against rabies when the animal is six months old
• Register the animal at the local municipality
• There are further regulations for dogs classed as "potentially dangerous" (see below)

Regulated Animals

There are restrictions on owning certain breeds of dog and potentially dangerous animals in Spain. Laws are regulated by the Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas), which impose a wide variety of rules and regulations within the country. 

In general, the following are considered as dangerous animals and owned under specific conditions: 

• Wild animals including: reptiles (alligators, crocodiles and poisonous snakes), any wild animal weighing over two kilograms, poisonous fish and mammals weighing over 10 Kg when adult.

Dangerous dogs

Potentially dangerous dog are identified as being in one of three categories: 

1) Breeds and breed crosses classified as potentially dangerous:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Tosa Inu
• Akita Inu

• Strong musculature, powerful or athletic constitution, robustness, agility, vigor and endurance
• Short hair
• Deep chest (60 to 80 cm), height of over 50 cm and a weight over 20 Kg
• Big, square, head, with a wide skull and strong jaws
• Broad, short and muscled neck.
• Straight, parallel forelegs and muscular hindquarters, relatively long back legs standing at an angle

• Full details of the act: Click here (in Spanish)

Dog owner licence application   

The licence application is made to the municipality of the place of residence. The applicant must take the following (an applicant must be over 18 years): 

• Proof of identity (passport or residence card) 
• Proof of having no criminal convictions
• Proof of being mentally and physically capable of looking after one of these animals. (There are centres test of physical and psychological aptitude can be done and a certificate issued. The certificate must have been issued in the previous 12 months)
• An insurance contract for the dog with a liability of at least €120,000
• Proof of fully up-to-date vaccinations
• Proof of identification by microchip
• Proof that the dog is or has attended training school

Once accepted, a licence (the Licencia para tener perros potencialmente peligrosos) is issued. 

• For an example of the Madrid Municipality licence application form: Click here (PDF in Spanish)

Dog registration

Potentially dangerous dogs must be registered with the municipal registry for dangerous dogs (Registro municipal de perros potencialmente peligrosos). Registration of the dog must be renewed annually.

Take:

• Proof of identification and microchip number's certificate
• Certificate from the vet stating that the dog is in good health

Walking a potentially dangerous dog   

Dog owners or handlers must carry the licence and dog registration document when out with the dog. The dog must be muzzled and on a lead of no more than two metres long. Only one dog may be handled per person.     

• Comprehensive information is available from the Spanish Embassy in Washington DC: Click here 

Note: In most municipalities, only one dog may be registered to one person. The property where the dogs are kept must be enclosed by a two metre high barrier.

• Further information on dog licences and the regulations is available from the CIAA (Centro Integral de Acogida de Animales): Click here (in Spanish)

Animals Lost & Found 

Found a pet in Spain?:

• Take the animal to a local vet who will check if it is identified
• If it is not identified the finder may keep it or contact the SPA (Sociedad Protectora de Animals) to ask for help.
• The last option is to take the animal to the public kennels (Perrera municipals), where, if nobody wants it and it is unclaimed within 13 days, it will be put down.

Lost a pet in Spain?:

• Contact local vets and give the pet's identification number
• Contact the Archivo de Identificación del Colegio de Veterinarios:
  Tel: 934 189 294 (office hours)
  Tel: 902 170 401 (24 hour service)
• Report the animal missing at the local police station, and provide a photograph and description of the pet
• Contact SPA (Sociedad Protectora de Animals) to ask for help
• Use the search box on the website La Coordinadora which is specifically for Catalonia but provides search country-wide: Click here (in Spanish)

Animal Organisations

Awareness of animal abuse is growing, and even though regulations are not consistent throughout the country, more and more organisations are claiming animal rights and there have been cases of people being fined for abusing animals

There are many organisations that take care of animals in Spain. See these websites for lists of the various SPAs and other organisations. 

• For a comprehensive list with contact information and web-links see the Protection des Animaux website

See the red box link at the top of the page for more local animal organisations.

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Pet Travel and Moving with Animals to Spain
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Pet Threats and Animal Dangers in Spain

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