New Animal Rights Law in Spain

Since the beginning of 2022 there has been a new law in Spain that protects animals as sentient beings. In general terms this means that pets can no longer be seized, abandoned or mistreated. Ownership of pets can now be included in wills and, in the case of a separation or divorce, possession of a pet is subject to negotiation. The new law also states that anyone finding a lost animal must return it to its owner. However, if there are indications that the lost animal has suffered abuse or abandonment then this must be communicated to the relevant authorities. 
Professor Nuria Máximo of Rey Juan Carlos University says, “These new laws reflect a change in the sensitivity of the way we treat animals - especially those that we live with. People always knew that a pet was not just a “thing”, but the law did not reflect this until now.” The Unidas Podemos party wants to extend these protections even further. They have drafted an amendment to this law which includes a ban on putting animals down without justified cause, and also makes the punishment for animal abuse more harsh.