Last September 29, 2024 The adaptation period of the Law on the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare ended. Among its rules, the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets is prohibited in stores; but other species such as fish, birds, reptiles and small mammals are still available in specialized stores, to ensure their health, well-being and avoid illegal trafficking.
With the entry into force of the new Law on the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare, better known as Animal Welfare Law (LBA), Spain marks a milestone in the protection of companion animals. On September 29, 2024, the period for assimilating the regulations, which prohibits the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in stores, ended. Companies like Kiwoko have long complied with this regulation, and in their establishments you can continue to find animal species, such as fish, birds, reptiles and small mammals, in order to promote, above all, their animal care and well-being, faithful to their mission.
Only authorized breeders
The new Animal Welfare Law aims to eradicate the indiscriminate sale of pets, which has historically led to an increase in abandonments. Starting September 29, 2024, authorized breeders They are the only ones that will be able to sell dogs, cats and ferrets, while pet stores must focus on other species. For people interested in adding a dog, cat or ferret to their families, the main initiative is adoption, in the case of Kiwoko through its Kiwoko Adopta website, recently updated, in collaboration with shelters.
This program offers an ethical alternative for those looking to add a new member to their family, promoting responsible adoption. To date, this initiative has helped more than 34,500 animals find homes. In the words of Claudia Compte, legal director of Grupo IskayPet (Kiwoko, Kivet, Tiendanimal, Clinicanimal and Hospital Veterinario Madrid Centro), this is “an important advance for animal welfare in Spain. “We continue to promote adoption as the best way to give these animals a home, while maintaining our commitment to the well-being of other species that continue to be available in our stores.”
Other species
Stores or establishments specialized in fish, birds, reptiles and small mammals must comply with a series of strict standards of hygiene, health and adequate conditions. «Animal welfare is part of our philosophy. We guarantee that the animals available in our stores receive adequate care, which involves maintaining appropriate environments and complying with the highest traceability standards,” Claudia Compte tells ABC. In this way, the company is committed to ensuring the traceability and well-being of each species from its arrival at the store until its arrival at its new home. This includes rigorous veterinary checks, monitoring of each specimen and the provision of environments that mimic their natural habitats.
Key points of the Law
The Animal Welfare Law was approved as we have been saying in February 2023 by the Congress of Deputies and later by the Senate on March 8 of the same year. Some of the main aspects included in this legislation are summarized below.
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The new law allows the incorporation of animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, rodents, fish and turtles into families, available through authorized stores.
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The sale of dogs, cats and ferrets can only be carried out through registered breeders, prohibiting the direct sale of these animals online to avoid illegal trafficking and guarantee their well-being.
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The creation of a ‘Positive List’ that will define the species that can be considered companion animals, both wild and domestic. These lists are in the process of development and it is expected that the regulations that regulate them will be approved in the next two years.
The law introduces new obligations for all those who acquire a pet, such as guaranteeing basic care and avoiding uncontrolled reproduction, with specific measures such as the mandatory sterilization of cats before six months. A training course for future dog owners must also be completed, along with liability insurance.
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