Spain's first official report on animal abandonment reveals what really happens to pets
A new government study lifts the lid on pet abandonment and adoption, and where the real challenges lie
Spain’s General Directorate of Animal Rights has published its first official report on the state of pet protection and abandonment, offering the clearest national picture yet. Carried out in 2023, the study is based on responses from 749 surveys to local councils and animal welfare groups across the country, with 357 of those coming from municipalities and 139 from registered animal organisations.The results confirm what many had suspected: mixed-breed dogs, hunting dogs and those categorised as potentially dangerous breeds (PPP) make up the majority of abandoned animals. Last year alone, 18,764 dogs entered municipal shelters, and 18,009 were eventually released. Around 77 percent were adult dogs.
Cats are in an even tougher spot. Of the 13,230 taken in, nearly all were non-pedigree. Only 10,881 were rehomed, leaving a significant number still in shelters. The mortality rate is also much higher among cats; at 22.6 percent compared to just 4.6 percent for dogs.Most animals ended up in shelters after being found lost or abandoned; 81 percent of dogs and nearly 87 percent of cats. A smaller number were handed in by their owners or removed through seizure. Only 23 percent of dogs and 38 percent of cats arrived as puppies.
Adoption remains the most common outcome. More than half the dogs (52.9 percent) and almost two-thirds of the cats (64.6 percent) were adopted. Around 31 percent of dogs and nearly 7 percent of cats were reunited with their owners. Others were transferred to other centres, and some died in care — 4.6 percent of dogs and 22.6 percent of cats.
The report highlights a major obstacle to returning pets home - a lack of microchips. Just 5.3 percent of cats and 31.2 percent of dogs were chipped when they were taken in.
The majority of shelters focus on cats (84 percent) and dogs (45 percent), with a smaller proportion also housing other animals. They rely heavily on volunteers, averaging 22 people per group, and maintain close to nine shelters each.
Shelters generally have more room for dogs than for cats, with an average capacity of 80 dogs and 61 cats.
Only one in five councils has its own animal shelter. Most outsource services due to a lack of local resources, and where councils do run facilities, management is split between public agencies, private companies and welfare organisations.
Despite some progress, the report underlines key areas for improvement. These include better identification of animals, especially cats; increased funding and support at the local level; and more effective public education campaigns to encourage responsible ownership and adoption.
Images: Cynthia Vh/Pexels and Daga_Roszkowska/Pixabay
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