Spain Says “You’re Family Too”: When Pets Become Legal Family Members
Here’s why Spain’s move to make pets legal family members matters and how it reflects modern families today
In a landmark move, Spain changed its laws so that pets are no longer considered property — they are now legally recognized as “sentient beings,” worthy of family-style protection.
This isn’t just legalese: it reflects a deeper cultural shift. Younger couples across Spain — and in many parts of the world — now view their pets not as accessories, but as children: dogs as toddlers, cats as moody teenagers. Pets become more than companions; they become part of the family’s emotional core.
Why Pets Are Becoming “Practice Children” for Younger Couples
- Emotional substitute for children. With rising costs and changing lifestyles, many millennials see pets as children — lovable, real, but less complicated than human kids. For couples who aren’t ready for parenthood, pets become “practice children,” a way to nurture attachments and responsibilities.
- Adopt, don’t shop. The growing belief in rescue and adoption — rather than buying pets — reflects a conscious decision to give animals a loving home. What’s more responsible than offering shelter to a creature in need?
- Pet parenting = real parenting. Taking in a pet means feeding, grooming, training, vet visits — not unlike raising a child. For many, the emotional rewards are as profound: unconditional love, companionship, and responsibility.
What Spain’s New Pet Law Actually Changes
- Pets are now legally recognized as living beings with rights, not “objects.”
- In a report by The Local, cases of separation or divorce, courts must consider the pet’s welfare — shared custody is possible.
- According to La Vanguardia, abandonment, mistreatment, and even embedding pets in mortgages or property as collateral are now prohibited.
For many pet-parents, this means their bond is no longer just emotional — it’s legal. Their pet matters in the eyes of the law.
What This Means for Parents Who Love Their Pets (Even if They Have Kids)
- Pets are now more than extras. Whether or not you have human children, pets are taken seriously — not as side interests, but as part of your core family unit.
- Treat them like a family member, not a pet. With legal protections, there’s more reason than ever to treat pets with care, respect, and dignity.
- Adoption becomes a statement. Opting to rescue or adopt sends a message: that we value life, empathy, and commitment over trends or convenience.
Many Filipino pet-loving parents already live by “adopt, don’t shop.” Spain’s legal recognition makes visible what so many already feel — pets are family. So if the family does intend to move to Spain and become a Spanish citizen, their furbaby can come along for the ride!
The Heart of It: Pets Love Us as Kids Do and We Need to Respect That
Maybe we don’t have a mortgage on our pet. Maybe we don’t put them on our will. But if you’ve ever come home to a wagging tail or a purring cat ambushing your leg, you know — they don’t think of themselves as property. They think of themselves as home.
In those few years we share with them, pets give us unconditional love, laughter, comfort — the same magic kids bring. If we decide to bring them in, we owe them our responsibility. And thanks to Spain’s new law, that responsibility has real weight now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Spain updated its laws to reflect society’s growing view of pets as emotional companions and family members. This change gives pets better protection in custody, welfare, and legal matters.
Pet owners now have legal responsibility for their animals’ welfare. Pets must be considered in decisions like divorce, relocation, or shared custody—similar to how children’s interests are prioritized.
Yes. Many millennial and Gen Z couples see pets as “fur babies,” often calling dogs the “toddlers of the house” and cats the “aloof teenagers.” Pets are frequently treated as practice kids before having their own.
In the Philippines, responsible pet ownership is often compared to parenting. Many younger Filipinos embrace the “adopt, don’t shop” philosophy and treat their pets with the same devotion as parents do their kids.
Pets love us wholly and without condition—much like children. Recognizing them as family reflects the deep emotional bond and the responsibility we take on when we welcome them into our lives.
More about furbabies and pets?
Happily Furever After: Inspiring Cat Adoption Stories
Cat-ifying Your Home: Things Your New Feline Furbaby Needs
All You Need To Know About Grooming And Feeding Your Dog
