Spain Just Passed a Law Saying Pets Are Family Not Property
Spain made a big move in 2022 that pet lovers everywhere can appreciate. The country officially changed its laws so animals are no longer treated like objects, and this shift is already changing how courts handle everything from divorces to debt disputes. It sounds simple, but the impact is huge. They are now legally viewed as sentient beings with needs, feelings, and a place in the family.
A Change That Was Years In The Making
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This wasn’t a quick decision. Animal groups had been pushing for years to update the Spanish Civil Code, which had treated animals the same as televisions or couches. Even though other laws in Spain and across Europe already recognized animals as sentient, the Civil Code lagged behind. When Congress finally approved the reform in December 2021 and it took effect in early 2022, it brought the country’s legal system more in line with how people actually treat their animals.
Once the reform was published in the Official State Gazette, it became fully active. Lawmakers expect it to touch a lot of lives. Spain has high pet ownership and around 30,000 married couples with pets get divorced each year. That’s not even counting unmarried couples who split up. Until this update, only the registered owner had the upper hand in custody disputes. Now judges have to look at what’s best for the animal.
Pets In Divorce Court
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Under the new rules, pets are treated with the same seriousness as other family members when couples go their separate ways. Judges must look at the living situation, financial stability, daily routine, and even the presence of kids. Since kids often have a strong bond with pets, courts may lean toward the partner who has primary custody of the children.
This idea played out even before the law took effect. A judge in Madrid granted joint custody of a dog to an unmarried couple that had broken up. The dog now spends a month with each person, and both are legally responsible for care. Cases like this used to be unusual. Now they’re expected.
The law also stops couples from selling the animal during a divorce unless both partners agree. Joint custody can be denied when there’s evidence of domestic violence, animal abuse, or threats against the pet. And if someone finds a lost animal, they must return it unless there are signs of neglect or mistreatment.
Ending Old Property Rules
One of the other big updates is the end of treating animals like assets. Companion animals and farm animals can no longer be seized to cover unpaid debts. The Mortgage Law was also rewritten so animals used in livestock operations can’t be wrapped into a mortgage.
Another part of the reform deals with what happens when someone pays to care for an injured or abandoned animal. Those expenses can be recovered even if the costs go beyond what the animal is worth. If a pet dies or suffers serious physical or psychological harm because of someone else, the owner and anyone living with the animal can receive compensation for emotional damage.
A Shift In How Spain Sees Animals
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Lawyers who work in animal rights call the reform a major step, and many Spaniards agree. Some believe it will help reduce the number of abandoned animals, which is around 200,000 a year. With pets now recognized as family instead of property, people may think twice before giving them up.
Spain still has disagreements around issues like bullfighting, but this change shows that attitudes toward animals are shifting. Pets have always felt like part of the family. Now the law finally says the same thing.