Animal Welfare Act 2023: What we all need to know

The Animal Welfare Act 2023 has caused more than one heated conversation. And it's not for nothing. From the perspective of someone who has lived with animals all his life, I can tell you that this law seeks to change the rules of the game and better protect animals. I'm going to tell you what, in my opinion, are the most important points and how this law affects us all, but especially those of us who have pets or work with animals.

Before I go into detail, I want to clarify one thing: this law is a step forward in animal protection, but as with any regulation, it is not without controversy or obstacles. If you keep reading me, you will see what I am saying. I'll explain it all to you in a simple key, but with the authority of someone who has already dealt with its pros and cons.

The soul of the law: protecting animals like never before

The main objective of the Animal Welfare Law 2023 is to guarantee the rights and welfare of animals. No more seeing a dog tied up outside a supermarket while you do your quick shopping, that's no longer allowed. Not only that, the law also states that pets cannot be left alone for more than 24 hours unsupervised (in the case of dogs) or more than three days in the case of other animals. If you have a cat or a dog, you must be well aware of this. Leaving your dog unattended at home for more than a day can cost you up to 10,000 euros.

Another new feature is that an abandoned animal cannot be euthanized except in specific circumstances, such as an incurable disease. This "zero culling" policy has been widely applauded by animal rights advocates.

And I'll tell you straight: the fines for mistreatment or abandonment are stiff, and I applaud it. They can range from 500 euros for minor infractions to 200,000 euros in serious cases, such as systematic abandonment or the use of animals in fights.

The controversy of banned animals

One of the most talked about issues with the law is the prohibition of certain species as pets. If you were thinking of adopting a swine or a Vietnamese pig, forget it. Both are on the banned species list for being considered potentially dangerous to local wildlife. The Catalog of Invasive Alien Species is what governs this list, and if you have any of these species, there is a time limit to adapt to the new rules.

At first, many thought this would include common pets like rabbits or turtles, but don't worry, those are still legal. What is true is that you will have to be careful with other more exotic species, especially reptiles or poisonous fish.

Dogs and responsibility

Ah! Dogs. If you have one, you're going to have to take a free online course to learn how to take care of it properly. It may sound unnecessary to some, but the idea is to prevent inexperienced people from harming the animal. The course does not have much science, but I assure you that it will be necessary to have it in order. This goes hand in hand with the obligation to take out liability insurance for your dog, in case it causes any damage.

Also, if you thought dangerous breeds were absurd, let me tell you that there are no longer potentially dangerous breeds as there used to be. Now what counts is if the dog passes a sociability test. If it doesn't pass, it will have to wear a muzzle until it is trained and passes.

Changes in pet stores

The time of seeing puppies and kittens in the windows of pet stores is over. From now on, it is prohibited the sale of dogs, cats and ferrets in stores, which seems to me a wise move to curb irresponsible breeding. If you want one of these animals, you'll have to go to registered breeders or shelters, which is a necessary change to curb the marketing of animals as if they were objects for quick consumption.

Yes, stores will still be able to sell other animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and fish, as long as they meet certain regulations.

What's outside the law

Now, here's where the grays begin. The law excludes certain animals that, in my opinion, should be equally protected. For example, hunting dogs, Armed Forces or rescue animals are outside the law. I don't want to sound negative, but I think all animals deserve the same kind of protection, no matter what job they do.

Conclusion: What does this law mean for you?

I'll sum it up for you: if you have pets, this law will affect you fully. You will have to be much more attentive to their care, you will have to pass the course if you have a dog and adapt to stricter regulations. But don't panic, many of the measures are common sense and seek a greater good: to ensure that our animal friends have a dignified life.

And if you're thinking of buying a pet, you know what awaits you: zero whims, more responsibility. Personally, I think the Animal Welfare Law 2023 is a step forward, although like everything else, it has points that could be improved.