MADRID—For many pet owners, dogs and cats are cherished family members—and now, Spanish law officially reflects that view.
Last month, Spain’s Congress of Deputies passed legislation reclassifying pets as “sentient beings” rather than property under the country’s civil code, El País reported. The change ensures that animals’ welfare must be considered in legal disputes, particularly in divorces or separations where custody is contested.
Under the new law, courts can no longer treat pets as mere objects to be divided like furniture or assets. Instead, judges must weigh the animal’s well-being when determining custody arrangements.
“This is a step forward,” said María González Lacabex, an animal protection advocate, in an interview with El País. “It means that in separations, the outcome must consider not just the humans’ interests, but also the animal’s.”
A Test Case: Shared Custody of a Border Collie
The shift was foreshadowed in October when a Spanish judge granted joint custody of a border collie named Panda to a separated couple, The Washington Post reported. The ex-partners, who adopted the dog together, agreed to alternate monthly care while sharing expenses.
Lola García, the woman’s lawyer, noted the arrangement mirrored child custody agreements, signaling a growing legal recognition of pets’ emotional significance.
Global Trend: Pets Gain Legal Protections
Spain joins several nations—including France, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland—that have enacted similar laws acknowledging animals as sentient.
While New York stopped short of such a designation, a 2021 law requires judges to consider a pet’s “best interests” in divorce cases, the Niagara Gazette reported.
“Pets were once treated as simple property,” said Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), who sponsored the measure. “But they’re sentient beings deserving thoughtful consideration.”
The reforms mark a turning point in how the law values the bond between humans and their pets—no longer as owners and property, but as families.
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