Dog Ownership in Spain?
Jan 24th 2026 | 1:29 am
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 107
From: Lanzarote
Dog Ownership in Spain?
A few weeks ago a puppy came up for adoption here in Lanzarote.
I'd just lost my last dog so was excited.
My missus was in UK but we'd decided that as it would be my dog, I'd choose but always get her final approval. I showed her pics and she was happy for me to go ahead
I chatted with the owner and showed her photos of our big garden. They were happy for me to take it.
We met up and i took it with me.
When the missus came home she agreed I'd made a good choice
After a couple of days we went to our vets to have it registered and chipped.
I was holding the dog and she helped vet do the paperwork
Last night after an argument she said it was her dog as she put her name on the paperwork. I assumed she'd put mine as she has her own 3 cats.
I'm fuming
They gave it to me so it was my legal property. I never gave the dog to her.
Legally it should be mine. Same as if I owned a tin of beans. Stays my property until I give it away
Any legal bods on here?
Ta
I'd just lost my last dog so was excited.
My missus was in UK but we'd decided that as it would be my dog, I'd choose but always get her final approval. I showed her pics and she was happy for me to go ahead
I chatted with the owner and showed her photos of our big garden. They were happy for me to take it.
We met up and i took it with me.
When the missus came home she agreed I'd made a good choice
After a couple of days we went to our vets to have it registered and chipped.
I was holding the dog and she helped vet do the paperwork
Last night after an argument she said it was her dog as she put her name on the paperwork. I assumed she'd put mine as she has her own 3 cats.
I'm fuming
They gave it to me so it was my legal property. I never gave the dog to her.
Legally it should be mine. Same as if I owned a tin of beans. Stays my property until I give it away
Any legal bods on here?
Ta
Jan 24th 2026 | 3:02 am
#2
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
Re: Dog Ownership in Spain?
Spain recently introduced draconian laws regarding pets. I suggest you look them up. Dog owners now have to go on a course in how to care for their animals. Third-party insurance is mandatory for all dogs. Pets are no longer treated as possessions - they are treated as family members, so neither you nor your wife can own the dog.
Jan 24th 2026 | 3:05 am
#3
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 107
From: Lanzarote
Re: Dog Ownership in Spain?
Spain recently introduced draconian laws regarding pets. I suggest you look them up. Dog owners now have to go on a course in how to care for their animals. Third-party insurance is mandatory for all dogs. Pets are no longer treated as possessions - they are treated as family members, so neither you nor your wife can own the dog.
We are not married. But lived together here for 10 years
So neither of us can own the dog outright? Always joint ownership?
We have a complicated relationship.
I'll be happy with joint ownership
Jan 24th 2026 | 3:18 am
#5
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 107
From: Lanzarote
Jan 24th 2026 | 10:15 am
#10
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 107
From: Lanzarote
