Policy changes in Spain shape what counts as a pet
The prohibition on owning and breeding certain animal species is not new in Spain. Since 2013, many species have appeared on the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species, where animals such as raccoons, parrots, budgerigars, Vietnamese boars, and various tortoises and hedgehogs have been restricted. The latest Animal Welfare Act broadens this scope, tightening rules about keeping pets at home and clarifying which species may be kept.
The new framework sets out clear requirements for an animal to be considered a pet. In practice, a species must first be listed among those allowed, a decision that follows parliamentary approval of the law. The criteria emphasize ease of care in ecological, physiological, and ethological terms, evidence that the species can live in captivity, and the absence of risks to humans. Factors such as aggression, venom, or large size are weighed, and the potential for escape to cause ecological problems is a key consideration.
Based on these standards, the Animal Welfare Act prohibits keeping several common pets in the home, including mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, turtles, lovebirds, parrots, snakes, spiders, iguanas, chameleons, geckos, and birds native to other countries.
Hamsters, chinchillas and mice were noted in a caption as examples of animals that are not allowed as household pets.
Purpose of the rule: prevent invasive species problems
For rodents on the list the aim is to protect wild native fauna and prevent ecological damage. The law states that species with a proven invasive potential or those that pose a serious risk to biodiversity if they escape and spread will not be listed as positive pets.
Spain has observed significant numbers of certain species, such as rabbits, which despite being popular as pets to some households, can cause environmental harm when present in large numbers. Turtles, once common in homes, are also subject to ban due to their role as vectors for parasitic fungi and other pathogens.
Similarly, wild birds like lovebirds are restricted because species not naturally found in Spain face ecological and regulatory concerns, excluding parrots and domestic budgerigars.
The current text does not yet publish a final list of permitted animals. A government decision will establish this list within a maximum of 48 months after the law takes effect.
Inequality of criteria across Europe
There is no uniform view across European Union countries about what should count as a pet. For instance, Belgium allows a range of species such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, and guinea pigs, while a newly enacted Animal Welfare Act has similar allowances in some cases.
The Netherlands has had a comparable framework since 2015 and has narrowed its permitted list to about 30 species, including wild boar, alpaca, buffalo, and various rodents in addition to rabbits and ferrets. This divergence across nations highlights the lack of a single standard for pet status within the EU.
Authorities note that the evolving rules reflect ongoing efforts to balance pet ownership with biodiversity protection and public health concerns. The dialogue continues as member states assess what distinguishes a suitable household animal from a species that should remain in the wild.