Spain's Animal Welfare Law: What Dog and Cat Owners Must Do

Spain's national animal welfare law, formally Ley 7/2023 of 28 March on the protection of animal rights and welfare, has been in force since 29 September 2023, according to the consolidated text published by the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), Spain's official gazette. The law applies across the country and sets out detailed obligations for anyone who owns or cares for a companion animal, with dogs and cats singled out for the most specific rules.

Why this is back in the news

More than two years after the law took effect, Spanish outlets such as El Español and 101TV have been publishing explainers breaking down individual provisions — such as the ban on devices that restrict an animal's movement, the requirement to shelter pets from rain and heat, and the general duty to treat animals as sentient beings. The renewed coverage reflects continuing public uncertainty over exactly what the law requires in everyday situations, such as whether a simple doghouse in a yard is enough to satisfy the shelter rule.

Identification, registration and sterilization

Under Article 26 of the law, cats must be identified by microchip and, in general, sterilized before six months of age, with exceptions for animals registered as authorized breeding stock or for documented veterinary reasons, according to the consolidated BOE text. Companion animals must also be entered in the national Register of Companion Animals, which is fed with data supplied by Spain's autonomous communities, according to the BOE text (articles 9.3 and 10.6.c).

Supervision limits and mandatory training

Article 27 of the law bars owners from leaving dogs unsupervised for more than 24 consecutive hours; other companion animals, such as cats, may not be left alone for more than three consecutive days (72 hours). Article 30 requires prospective dog owners to complete a training course — described in the BOE text as free of charge and valid indefinitely once completed, with its content to be set by further regulation.

Shelter from weather: what article 28 actually says

Article 28 requires that animals housed outdoors have facilities protecting them from weather conditions, and that those facilities be positioned so the animal is not left exposed for long periods to direct sun, rain or extreme cold, according to the BOE text and El Español's reporting. El Español's coverage of the rule notes that the law leaves some ambiguity in practice: simply placing a doghouse somewhere in a yard is not automatically considered sufficient if its location still leaves the animal exposed to the elements for extended periods.

The law also prohibits keeping dogs or cats permanently on balconies, terraces, patios, rooftops, basements, storage rooms or inside vehicles, regardless of whether some form of outdoor shelter is present, according to El Español's reporting.

Banned restraint devices and collars

The law prohibits using any device, mechanism or tool designed to limit or prevent an animal's mobility by tying it to a fixed point, according to the BOE text (articles 25 and 27). Exceptions apply only when a veterinarian prescribes restricted movement for the animal's health or welfare. Electric, choke and other punishment-type collars are separately banned because of their potential to cause pain, pressure or discomfort, according to 101TV's summary of the law.

Fines for non-compliance

Penalties depend on the severity of the breach. According to 101TV's reporting on the law's sanctions framework, minor infractions carry fines from €500 to €10,000, serious infractions from €10,001 to €50,000, and very serious infractions from €50,001 to €200,000. The most severe cases — such as the use of devices that cause physical harm — can also lead to confiscation of the animal and bans on future ownership, per the same report.

General duty of care

Beyond the specific rules, the law sets out a broader principle in Article 24.1: all owners are obliged to treat animals according to their condition as sentient beings, according to the consolidated BOE text. Article 24.2.b adds that training and handling methods must not cause the animal suffering, mistreatment, anxiety or fear.