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Date Published: 21/10/2021
ARCHIVED - Animal ID to be introduced in Spain next year
The new DNI identification requirement will apply to all dogs and cats in Spain
The Spanish government has announced a wave of new measures to advance the rights of companion animals in this country, and the latest rule involves mandatory DNI identity papers for dogs and cats starting from 2022.
The main objective of the General Directorate of Animal Rights is to create a national database that will record the details of all pets, including veterinary treatments, vaccination history and names and addresses of owners. Not only will the DNI make medical treatment more straight-forward across the country, but it should reduce the huge number of animals that are abandoned in Spain every year.
What is currently known about DNIs for pets?
Frankly, very little so far. The government has indicated that it will act as a complementary tool to the microchip for dogs and cats, but it is not yet known whether the DNI will take the form of a physical passport or card, or if the details will be stored electronically and accessed via a QR code.
While the requirement is set to be implemented next year, the process for obtaining a DNI hasn’t been outlined, although the Spanish government has specified that the implementation of the law will be the responsibility of the individual autonomous communities.
New laws on animal rights
The government has already announced a range of new rules and regulations that govern the ownership of pets, the most controversial of which is possibility the requirement for dog owners to take a course to ensure they are responsible. In addition, pet shops can no longer sell live animals and judges presiding over custody hearings can deny joint guardianship to a parent who has been convicted of animal abuse.
Another pioneering move is the Viopet project which was developed within the framework of the Contingency Plan against Gender-based violence. This law will see the development of dedicated shelters for the pets of women that have experienced domestic abuse. In this way, victims can safely house their pets temporarily while escaping from their own abusive situations.
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