Ministerio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030 (Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), has started the process of previous public information for developing the positive list of companion pets species.
This implies Spanish Government will create a list of species we are allowed to have at home. This list will be developed according to scientific, animal welfare, environmental safety and epidemiological criteria. This list is not a Spanish invention, since other EU countries such as France and the Netherlands have already developed their own lists. These lists are also a valuable tool for controlling illegal wildlife traffic.
So, the aim of this Real Decreto would be ensuring animal rights and welfare protection, for protecting environmental safety, health and biodiversity, and also for easing companion pets possession control.
The positive list will include mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes and invertebrates. This list will allow public access and will be permanently updated, and apart from the species list itself, will inform of duties and prohibitions for owners about identification, Veterinary controls, lodging conditions, training courses, etc.
So, what will happen with those species not included at the positive list which won’t be considered as companion pets any longer? Despite the omnipresent junk at the Internet and media, no, the “evil Government” will not break into your home and confiscate them. And, of course, once again forget about fake news: budgies, hamsters, Guinea pigs, etc, will NEVER appear at the list. Except in extreme cases such as apes or Vietnamese pigs (whose possession is already forbidden), the owner can apply for an “exceptional authorisation”. All the owner has to do is to prove the animal is at home BEFORE the date the positive list appears, just showing a purchasing bill, a Veterinary certificate, or any other document from authorities. The document must include a proper identification number of the individual. From that moment, you can keep the animal at home, but you cannot sell, give or make it breed.
The Real Decreto is still in previous public communication period, and it probably will take several months to be approved. Meanwhile we recommend to ask your Vet for some advice if you have a pet different from dog, cat or ferret. But we can tell you in advance that in 99.99% of cases, the answer will be “nothing to worry about”.
