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mar 13, 2026

What the new European regulation could do for hunting dogs in Spain... or not

Brussels, Belgium

On April 27, 2026, the European Parliament will hold a plenary session to debate the EU's first-ever regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats. Its central pillar is universal traceability: mandatory microchipping and registration for all dogs, including those used for hunting. But as Europe moves toward this equal treatment, Spanish legislation continues to classify these animals in a separate category, with fewer rights and less oversight. The regulation could change that. Or not.

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mar 11, 2026

Ministry of Agriculture «partially accepts» AnimaNaturalis's submissions, but hunting dogs still lack real protection

Madrid, España

More than 17,000 citizen emails and a formal submission from AnimaNaturalis demanded in February 2026 that dogs used in hunting be excluded from the new Royal Decree on Traditional Zoological Nuclei from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The Ministry's response came in two words: "partially accepted." What does that mean, in practice, for the thousands of individuals living chained up in hunting kennels? Almost nothing.

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feb 5, 2026

Participate in the public consultation to protect hunting dogs

Madrid, España

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has opened a public consultation on a new Royal Decree that would regulate so-called “traditional zoological facilities.” While it may sound technical, this draft regulation could have serious consequences for thousands of animals in Spain.

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dec 30, 2025

AnimaNaturalis reports a nightclub in Madrid

Humanes, España

AnimaNaturalis has filed an administrative complaint with the City Council of Humanes de Madrid for keeping an aquarium with fish inside a nightclub, a practice that clearly violates current animal welfare regulations.

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sep 1, 2025

Netherlands approves ban on consumer fireworks

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch Senate has voted to ban the sale of fireworks to private individuals, a measure the government hopes to implement in time for the 2026/27 New Year's celebration.

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jun 20, 2025

European Parliament approves historic standards for dogs and cats

Madrid, España

The European Parliament has adopted its initial position on the first community regulation specifically for the welfare of dogs and cats. With broad support (457 votes in favor), pioneering rules were approved, such as mandatory microchipping for all animals and a ban on sales in pet stores, aimed at closing the legal loopholes that have fueled illegal breeding.

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jan 17, 2025

Our Animal Emergency Fund has made a difference after the DANA

Valencia, España

The recent floods caused by the DANA have left a deep mark on the Valencian Community and other regions of Spain. In a matter of hours, torrents of water swept away homes, businesses, and even animal shelters, leaving behind a landscape of destruction and despair. Thanks to the swift response of the community and animal protection organizations, the effects of this catastrophe on the lives of hundreds of animals were somewhat mitigated.

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dec 4, 2024

Hunting dogs trapped and abandoned: some of DANA’s anonymous victims

Valencia, España

The effects of the recent DANA that struck Valencia have left a trail of devastation and lost lives, not only human but also animal. In Torrent, a group of volunteers from AnimaNaturalis and local organizations discovered destroyed kennels and dogs with no chance of escape, exposing a painful reality: environmental tragedies profoundly impact the most vulnerable and abandoned animals.

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