The prohibition on owning and breeding certain animal species in Spain is not a new development tied to the current government. Since 2013, many species have been listed in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species and barred from private ownership, including the raccoon, parrots, budgerigar, Vietnamese boar, peninsular tortoise, hedgehog, and furred animals, among others. The new Animal Welfare Act broadens this scope, limiting what can be kept as pets in homes.
The updated standard defines a pet by a defined set of criteria. An animal may be considered a pet only if it appears on the list of approved species, a list that will be established once the law is enacted. Generally, the criteria reflect that the species has manageable ecological, physiological, and ethological needs in captivity, has been scientifically shown to live well in confinement, and does not present a risk to humans. Factors such as aggression, venom, size, or the potential for escape are considered to determine whether an animal could become invasive or threaten biodiversity if released into the wild.
Based on these criteria, the Animal Welfare Act requires the prohibition of keeping the following animals as pets at home:
– Mice
– Hamsters
– Guinea pigs
– Chinchillas
– Rabbits
– Turtles
– Lovebirds
– Parrots
– Snakes
– Spiders
– Iguanas
– Chameleons
– Geckos
– Birds native to other countries
Hamsters, chinchillas, or mice are noted as examples of species that will be impacted by these rules.
Purpose: to prevent the spread of invasive species
For the rodents listed above, the reasons for their ban center on protecting native wildlife and ecosystems: individuals of certain species, if released or escaping, could become invasive and threaten biodiversity. The law emphasizes that these animals will not be added to the list of approved pets because their invasive potential is certain or they could pose significant risks if not controlled.
The same precaution applies to rabbits, which numbered more than two million in Spain in 2020 and caused environmental concerns, making them a contentious choice for households. Even turtles, once popular as pets in many homes, face this ban because the Ministry of Ecological Transition notes they can carry pathogenic vectors, including parasitic fungi, rendering them a potential health risk. Lovebirds are also restricted, as the Ministry of Social Rights notes that wild fauna not naturally found in Spain should not be kept as pets, with exceptions only for parrots, budgerigars, and other non-native birds that are already established in the country.
Rabbits have drawn attention for their growing ecological impact, leading authorities to implement stricter controls. The law has yet to publish a definitive list of permitted animals; the government must approve this within up to 48 months from the law’s entry into force.
Inequality of criteria in Europe
There appears to be no single EU-wide consensus on what constitutes a pet. In Belgium, for instance, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, deer, guinea pigs, and squirrels are permitted under certain interpretations of animal welfare rules, while other nations have enacted stricter or broader prohibitions. In the Netherlands, a law enacted in 2015 reduced the list of permitted species to about 30, including wild boar, alpaca, buffalo, various rodents, rabbits, and ferrets, reflecting divergent approaches across Europe.
Additional notes from authorities indicate different national positions on pet definitions. For example, some guidelines emphasize domestic suitability and ecological safety, while others focus on preserving native biodiversity and preventing international species introductions.
There is no published contact address for the environment department in this text, but related inquiries are typically routed through national ministry portals that handle animal welfare and biodiversity issues. These sources indicate ongoing discussions about which species will ultimately be allowed as pets under the new framework. The law’s implementation timeline remains a focal point for stakeholders, with the Government expected to finalize the list of permitted species within the stipulated period.