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The Junta de Andalucia government is working on a new Animal Welfare law, which will provide more protection and improve their well-being and responsible ownership.
Spokesman Elías Bendodo said, “The new law will promote a more responsible behaviour of citizens in defence, protection and welfare within the framework of an inclusive conception of animals in society through a series of actions, including the prohibition of possession of specified animals, the objective of achieving zero abandonment and zero slaughter, the need for identification and registration, as well as the regulation of population control.”
He went on, “We will romote the social integration of animals through the regulation of circulation, access to public spaces and transport and recreation areas, as well as tests of socialisation and basic education, regular centres for the care of companion animals and sales and training activities, establishing a regime for abandoned and lost animals and regulating feline colonies and regulating collaboration with veterinary professionals and pet protection entities are other aspects included in the new regulations.”
Bendodo considers that this new law, which will replace the current one in force since 2003, is “necessary” to “respond to an Andalucian society that is especially sensitised and aware of the need to promote respect, protection and well-being of animals.”
In this sense, he highlighted that the proliferation in Andalucia of cases of abused animals highlights the need for a new legal framework, as well as education and awareness programs, sterilization campaigns and the provision of a solid and updated sanctioning regime that acts as a deterrent.
In addition, during the plenary session the number of animals that are in the Central Registry of Companion Animals at present was detailed. In total, there are 2,445,208 registered animals in the autonomous community, 1.85% more than in 2019. The presence of dogs (2,232,355), cats (196,855), ferrets (10,699) and other species such as turtles, hawks, rabbits or raccoons (5,299).
Responsible ownership campaign
In addition, it has announced the elaboration of a campaign for the responsible possession of pets, under the name ‘It is not just food and water’. With this, the Ministry of the Presidency, Public Administration and Interior aims to highlight the responsibility of acquiring an animal, the importance of sterilisation as a method of fighting overpopulation and influence identification and registration as the most effective method to be able to recover lost animals by their owners.
Messages are included such as influencing the importance of the adoption of animals, zero abandonment, the importance of vaccinating and sterilising them, as well as fulfilling the requirements for the possession of a potentially dangerous dog (liability insurance, rules for transit in urban roads, muzzle, chain, socialisation, etc.).
The campaign, with a budget of almost 250,000 euros between creativity and the media plan, will be broadcast on the official channels of the Andalucian Government through its website and social media and audiovisual media.
