In many homes across the Valencia Community, pets are cherished members of the family and longtime companions to three of the five seniors who live alone. They bring affection, lift mood, and contribute to overall well-being, yet who ensures their health and safety when care is needed? This question highlights a broader challenge faced by families who share their lives with animals.
Today, people insure almost everything—from cars to homes to motorcycles—yet many households still lack protection for the health of their animals. Veterinary costs have risen, and inflation tightens budgets. For many families, a routine visit to the vet is increasingly a luxury rather than a regular expense.
Spain has the largest share of dog and cat–owning families in the region, and yet regular veterinary visits remain unaffordable for many. Preventive care, including vaccines, has diminished; surgeries have been postponed; and the fear of untreated illness weighs on owners when resources to treat it aren’t available. This situation underscores a gap between animal welfare and household financial security that communities are striving to close.
Against this backdrop, when Carlos Mazón, the PP candidate for the Government of the Generalitat Valenciana, sought input on a program to protect animals, the idea of Social Security for Animals surfaced as a central measure. What would such a program look like for Mazón’s proposal? It would operate as a reimbursed system, created in clear agreement with veterinarians and insurers, and open to voluntary participation. It would rest on trust, not loopholes, with a straightforward fee of 50 euros per year. For this flat rate, participants could receive free assistance for their animals at their chosen veterinarians. It would mark a first essential step in the Community toward safeguarding animal health and well-being.
Of course, this is not the only measure under consideration. There was also discussion about organizing volunteers to assist animals when a person living alone with their pet is hospitalized or when an elderly owner can no longer manage daily routines like cleaning or walking a dog. These social supports are designed to keep animals with their families and to ensure humane care during challenging times. The aim is to complement medical coverage with practical, people-centered help that keeps communities safe and compassionate.
All of these proposals fit within the broader PP program for the Valencia Community, addressing critical issues such as preventing abandonment, curbing abuse, and ensuring that animals in danger have the chance to be saved during fires or natural disasters. These considerations reflect a basic consensus: responsible, humane treatment of animals strengthens the social fabric and protects everyone in the community—the pets and the people who care for them alike.
These ideas—emphasizing protection, support for vulnerable owners, and swift responses in emergencies—are grounded in common sense. They recognize that strong animal welfare signals a healthy, caring society. By prioritizing preventive care, practical support, and rapid intervention, communities can reduce suffering, improve outcomes, and foster lasting bonds between people and their animal companions.
Ultimately, the aim is to create a system that makes responsible pet ownership feasible for more families, while preserving the dignity and health of the animals they love. It is a clear, humane goal: to ensure that when illness or danger arises, help is available, affordable, and timely for every animal in need, and that the people who care for them are supported in return. This is the guiding principle behind the envisioned program and its potential impact on daily life for households across the Community.