Spain passes a new animal welfare bill

The Spanish Congress has narrowly passed a new animal welfare bill. Among other things, it provides for a positive list of pets that may be sold in pet stores and kept in private households, although the list is still being determined.  Sector experts expect, however, that the sale of pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, rodents, fish and tortoises will continue to be permitted in stationary pet stores. In earlier reporting on this, fears were expressed that soon only ornamental fish would be permitted to be sold in pet stores.

According to the new directive, dogs, cats and ferrets may only be procured from registered breeders. The direct sale of pets on the Internet is now prohibited. The new bill also regulates the adoption process, which is so popular in Spain, and enables pet product retailers to act as brokers in this process.