In recent times, social awareness of the treatment of our four-legged companions has grown exponentially, resulting in a much stricter legal framework in our country. With a pet population exceeding fifteen million in Spain, it was only a matter of time before the authorities intervened. to organize a sector that often operated in a gray areaespecially regarding the breeding and sale of animals. The goal is to ensure that every dog ​​or cat lives with the dignity it deserves, preventing situations of mistreatment or abandonment that cause us so much pain.
One of the most controversial, yet fundamental, changes is the end of uncontrolled domestic breeding. It's no longer acceptable for a neighbor's dog to mate with yours simply because you want puppies or to give them to family members. The law is unequivocal and seeks to prevent this. to professionalize the activity through the Breeders RegistryThis means that only those who meet very specific technical and health requirements can bring new life into the world. This measure is a direct blow against puppy mills and the black market that does so much damage to animal health.
The Breeders' Registry and the fight against illegal breeding
Since this new legal framework came into effect, anyone wishing to engage in breeding must be registered in the corresponding official registry. This is not simply a formality; those interested must... demonstrate adequate training and possess technical knowledge regarding the welfare of the animals they handle. The aim is for the birth of companion animals to cease being a random activity and instead be subject to the oversight of public administration, ensuring that it is done in full compliance with the law.
For those who choose to blatantly disregard these rules, the consequences are no joke. Engaging in breeding activities without proper registration is considered a serious offense, which can lead to... fines ranging from ten thousand to fifty thousand eurosThis substantial financial penalty aims to deter those seeking to profit clandestinely, ensuring that the traceability of each animal is guaranteed from the moment of its birth, thus reinforcing its protection against possible future abandonments.
Mandatory sterilization and sanitary control
Birth control is another key pillar of this legislation, with a particular focus on felines. Unless a cat is registered as a breeding cattery owner through an official breeder, the owner has the right to control its reproduction. duty to perform the surgical sterilization before the animal reaches six months of age. It is a drastic measure, but experts agree that it is the only effective way to curb overpopulation and the abandonment of thousands of cats that end up barely surviving on the streets or overwhelming animal shelters.
Along with sterilization, microchipping remains the cornerstone of ensuring no animal is lost in the system. For dogs, cats, and ferrets alike, it is imperative that are correctly registered in the official records with the details of its legal guardian. In the event of a tragedy and the animal's death, the owners cannot simply look the other way; they must prove that the body has been handled by an authorized company, either through cremation or legal burial, so that the removal is officially recorded in the database.
Rules of coexistence and daily supervision
Living with a pet involves a series of daily responsibilities that are now much more detailed to prevent negligence. For example, leaving your dog alone at home for a long weekend, even if it has plenty of food and water, is no longer acceptable. The regulations state that No dog can be left without human supervision. for more than twenty-four consecutive hours. It is a matter of basic well-being and safety, since during that time a thousand unforeseen events can arise that jeopardize the animal's health.
In addition to the company, the law explicitly prohibits keeping animals regularly in places like balconies, storage rooms, basements, or terraces. Animals must be integrated into the family nucleus whenever possible, following the Regulations regarding dogs on terraces and balconiesenjoying optimal hygiene and health conditions. The display of dogs and cats in shop windows has also been restricted, so that sales are conducted directly through registered breeders, preventing the animals from being treated as mere decorative objects in commercial areas.
This new legal framework marks a turning point in how we interact with animals in our environment, establishing clear responsibilities for both private owners and professionals in the sector. By focusing on traceability, breeder training, and reproductive control, it lays the groundwork for drastically reducing abandonment rates and ensuring that owning a pet is not a whim, but a serious and regulated commitment. The involvement of local councils and the oversight of the authorities will be crucial to ensuring that these measures are not merely symbolic and that genuine respect is achieved for these sentient beings who share their lives with us.
