The prohibition on owning and breeding certain animal species in Spain is not a new idea nor was it invented by today’s government. Since 2013, many species have been listed in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species, which already restricts animals such as raccoons, parrots, budgerigars, Vietnamese pigs, peninsula tortoises, hedgehogs, and other species. The new Animal Welfare Act broadens that list even further, clearly outlining which pets may be kept at home and which cannot.
The updated standard outlines a framework for determining whether an animal can be considered a pet. An animal can be classified as a pet only if it appears on the approved species list, which is finalized after the law is enacted. In general, the criteria focus on whether the species can meet ecological, physiological, and ethological needs in captivity, supported by scientific evidence that the animal can live domestically and does not pose risks to humans. Factors such as aggression, venom, or size are considered, and if an animal escapes, it is assessed for its potential to become invasive, disrupt habitats, and cause environmental damage.
According to these criteria, the Animal Welfare Act requires keeping animals such as:
– Mice
– Hamsters
– Guinea pigs
– Chinchillas
– Rabbits
– Turtles
– Lovebirds
– Parrots
– Snakes
– Spiders
– Iguanids
– Chameleons
– Geckos
– Birds native to countries other than Spain
Purpose: preventing invasions by non-native species
For the rodents listed above, the aim is to protect native wildlife and ecosystems. The law states that these animals will not be added to the positive pet list if they are undeniably invasive or, if left uncontrolled, could jeopardize biodiversity.
Rabbit populations in Spain reached more than a million and a half in 2020, and although previously considered typical pets, they have caused significant ecological impact, prompting increased concern.
Even turtles, once common in many homes, face restrictions because the Ministry of Ecological Transition notes they can carry pathogens and parasites that pose a risk as vectors.
Regarding lovebirds, the Ministry of Social Rights explains that wildlife species not naturally found in Spain may be restricted, with exceptions for parrots, budgerigars, and other birds that are already established in the country.
The legislation does not yet publish a final list of permitted animals. That list will be approved by the Government within a maximum of 48 months from the law’s entry into force.
Divergent criteria across Europe
There appears to be no universal agreement across the European Union about what should be considered a pet. For example, in Belgium species such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, deer, guinea pigs, and squirrels are allowed, even as other nations tighten rules with new laws.
In the Netherlands, where a similar law has been in effect since 2015, the list of permitted species has narrowed to around 30. This includes wild boar, alpacas, buffalo, and various rodents, along with rabbits and ferrets.
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Contact details for environmental authorities are not included in this article.