https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The EU has tightened up the post-Brexit rules on access to the European Pet Passport. Here's what that means for trips between Spain and the UK for dogs, cats and ferrets. https://www.thelocal.es/20260422/explained-new-rules-on-pet-passports-for-trips-between-spain-and-the-uk Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:19:16 +0200 explained-new-rules-on-pet-passports-for-trips-between-spain-and-the-uk If you're a dog owner in Spain, it's important to be aware of the rules and know when and where you can let them loose to run around. https://www.thelocal.es/20260406/when-and-where-must-dogs-be-kept-on-a-leash-in-spain Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:46:54 +0200 when-and-where-must-dogs-be-kept-on-a-leash-in-spain A few regions in Spain have recently approved a new measure which allows you to deduct vet expenses from your yearly income tax return. https://www.thelocal.es/20260318/the-regions-in-spain-where-you-can-deduct-vet-bills-in-your-tax-return Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:35:08 +0100 the-regions-in-spain-where-you-can-deduct-vet-bills-in-your-tax-return If you want to make sure that your pet is taken care of by the person of your choice in the event that you pass away, Spanish law now allows you to do this more easily. https://www.thelocal.es/20260306/how-to-safeguard-your-pet-in-spain-before-you-pass-away Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:56:50 +0100 how-to-safeguard-your-pet-in-spain-before-you-pass-away Deciding whether to take your furry friends with you or what to do with them while you're away on holiday can be difficult. Here's everything you need to know about the rules on travelling with pets in Spain, as well as some alternative options. https://www.thelocal.es/20220707/what-are-the-rules-on-taking-your-pets-on-holiday-in-spain Thu, 07 Jul 2022 10:06:16 +0200 what-are-the-rules-on-taking-your-pets-on-holiday-in-spain What happens if you have an emotional support animal and you want to move to Spain with it, or you live here and want to get one? What are the laws surrounding these types of animals and their rights to access different public spaces and transport? https://www.thelocal.es/20260224/are-emotional-support-animals-recognised-in-spain Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:05:39 +0100 are-emotional-support-animals-recognised-in-spain On Saturday January 31st and Sunday February 1st, hundreds of people and their dogs will take part in peaceful protests across the UK, demanding an end to the abuse, abandonment and killing of up to 100,000 hunting dogs each year in Spain, campaigners explain. https://www.thelocal.es/20260121/spains-filthy-secret-uk-protests-demand-end-to-spanish-hunting-dog-cruelty Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:59:48 +0100 spains-filthy-secret-uk-protests-demand-end-to-spanish-hunting-dog-cruelty With a new law coming into effect that bans the purchase of dogs, cats and ferrets in shops in Spain, they can now only be bought through registered breeders. Here's how to find one and legally buy a pet in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20241001/how-to-legally-buy-a-pet-in-spain Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:05:41 +0200 how-to-legally-buy-a-pet-in-spain Winter is coming and that means it’s more difficult for stray or abandoned animals to find food to survive the cold. This prompts many to want to do more to help and leave food out, particularly for stray cats. https://www.thelocal.es/20251121/can-you-feed-stray-cats-in-spain Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:41:30 +0100 can-you-feed-stray-cats-in-spain If you want to travel with your pet over the holidays or if you’re moving to or from Spain, it is much easier to travel either by car or by ferry than by plane within Europe. https://www.thelocal.es/20250814/a-guide-to-travelling-by-ferry-with-your-pet-to-and-from-spain Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:38:47 +0200 a-guide-to-travelling-by-ferry-with-your-pet-to-and-from-spain For pet owners, losing their dog or cat can be extremely distressing. Here are all the steps you should follow in Spain if this happens. https://www.thelocal.es/20240314/what-to-do-if-your-pet-goes-missing-in-spain Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:05:42 +0100 what-to-do-if-your-pet-goes-missing-in-spain Pets are part of the family for most people, so if there's a move to Spain, there's little question that they'll be joining. Find out what you need to know about bringing your furry friends with, from rules rolled out in 2023 to vaxes and microchipping. https://www.thelocal.es/20231023/what-are-the-rules-on-moving-to-spain-with-your-pet Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:52:14 +0200 what-are-the-rules-on-moving-to-spain-with-your-pet Many foreigners in Spain complain that the streets are full of dog faeces, but is that actually true and what, if anything, is being done to address it? https://www.thelocal.es/20220511/does-spain-have-a-dog-poo-problem Wed, 11 May 2022 18:25:41 +0200 does-spain-have-a-dog-poo-problem If you’re a Brit or another non-EU national who doesn't live in Spain but travels here regularly with your pet, it can work out to be quite expensive. So is there a better and cheaper solution and can you get an EU pet passport? https://www.thelocal.es/20250604/can-non-residents-in-spain-get-eu-passports-for-their-pets Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:12:16 +0200 can-non-residents-in-spain-get-eu-passports-for-their-pets The Spanish government has ruled that people who require assistance dogs will be able to access all public spaces in Spain, from swimming pools to supermarkets, with their animals. https://www.thelocal.es/20250530/spain-to-allow-support-dogs-access-to-all-public-spaces Fri, 30 May 2025 13:10:36 +0200 spain-to-allow-support-dogs-access-to-all-public-spaces If you're a cat owner or a cat lover looking to get a pet in Spain, it's important you know all your obligations according to Spain's Animal Welfare Law. https://www.thelocal.es/20250411/what-cat-owners-need-to-know-about-spains-animal-welfare-law Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:23:22 +0200 what-cat-owners-need-to-know-about-spains-animal-welfare-law Do you live in the countryside in Spain and fancy having your own chickens, cows and/or sheep? Unfortunately, even this involves a degree of bureaucracy if you want to avoid possible fines. https://www.thelocal.es/20250319/the-paperwork-you-need-to-complete-to-have-farm-animals-in-spain Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:05:00 +0100 the-paperwork-you-need-to-complete-to-have-farm-animals-in-spain A new rule to regulate the use of medicines for pets has caused an outcry from vets around the country. https://www.thelocal.es/20250206/the-new-rule-vets-in-spain-hate-and-pet-owners-should-know-about Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:59:04 +0100 the-new-rule-vets-in-spain-hate-and-pet-owners-should-know-about One of the quirky traditions that form part of Spain’s cultural Catholicism is the blessing of its animals, where priests across the country from Madrid to Mallorca sprinkle holy water and affection on Spaniards’ beloved pets. https://www.thelocal.es/20240118/why-spain-has-a-day-where-priests-bless-the-animals Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:49:37 +0100 why-spain-has-a-day-where-priests-bless-the-animals Thinking about coming on holiday to Spain with your dog or want to travel around the country with your furry friend? Find out which places are the easiest to travel around with a pet in tow. https://www.thelocal.es/20250113/which-cities-in-spain-have-the-most-pet-friendly-public-transport Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:41:08 +0100 which-cities-in-spain-have-the-most-pet-friendly-public-transport