Lorraine Williamson
Animal shelters across Spain are buckling under the strain of a rising tide of abandoned pets. With summer in full swing—a time when abandonment rates traditionally spike—rescue centres are reporting overflowing kennels and limited capacity to care for the surge in animals left behind.
According to new figures, more than 292,000 cats and dogs were taken in by shelters across Spain in 2024. This is a 2% increase on the previous year. It’s the latest chapter in a troubling upward trend, particularly among dogs, whose abandonment rate has climbed by 7% over the past five years.
Though numbers remain marginally lower than before the pandemic, animal welfare groups say the deeper concern is the lack of structural reform—and the continued normalisation of pets being treated as disposable.
Kittens born into crisis
The single biggest driver behind shelter admissions remains unchanged: unplanned litters. Accidentally breeding has topped the list of reasons animals are surrendered or dumped for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 16% of cases.
Among cats, the impact is especially stark. Nearly half of all felines arriving at shelters are unwanted kittens. Many of them are too young to survive on their own. Despite repeated campaigns by vets and animal charities urging sterilisation, spay and neuter rates remain dangerously low.
The cost of surgery, limited access in rural areas, and cultural resistance all play a role. However, a broader issue persists: too many owners still view reproduction as inevitable or someone else’s problem.
Pets as playthings: When the novelty wears off
Another major factor fuelling the crisis is impulse buying. Pets are often acquired on a whim—especially around Christmas, birthdays, or during the pandemic lockdowns—only to be abandoned once the reality of daily care kicks in.
Children may beg for a puppy or kitten, but when the excitement fades or school starts again, the burden falls on parents ill-prepared for the responsibility. Others cite lifestyle changes—such as frequent travel, new jobs, or relationship breakdowns—as reasons for surrendering animals.
Spain’s housing market is another obstacle. With affordable, pet-friendly rentals in short supply, many families find themselves unable to keep their animals when they move house.
Hunting season ends, so do commitments
Beyond the main causes, a complex mix of seasonal and socio-economic factors adds pressure to shelters. Every year, the end of hunting season sees working dogs discarded en masse—either abandoned outright or surrendered after outliving their usefulness.
In other cases, behavioural issues go unaddressed until they escalate, with animals deemed ‘too difficult’ and handed over to shelters. Meanwhile, economic hardship continues to drive up surrender rates. Rising costs of food, fuel, and vet care have forced some families to give up their pets simply because they can no longer afford to feed them.
Microchipping: A missed opportunity
One of the most effective tools for reuniting pets with their owners is still being underused. While nearly 9 in 10 household dogs in Spain are microchipped, that figure plummets once the animal ends up in a shelter—only 25% of shelter dogs are chipped, and for cats, the number is shockingly low at just 5%.
This lack of identification drastically reduces the chances of lost pets finding their way home. It also suggests a broader cultural blind spot—many pet owners don’t think it’ll happen to them, or assume someone else will step in when an animal goes missing.
Most animals are found abandoned, not surrendered
Contrary to common assumptions, most pets don’t arrive at shelters via concerned owners seeking help. Only around 10% are brought in directly. The vast majority are found wandering streets, dumped in rural areas, or tied to gates in the middle of the night.
These animals often arrive scared, malnourished, or injured. Some don’t survive the journey. For those that do, space is running out—and so are resources.
What animal charities are calling for
To address the crisis, Spain’s Affinity Foundation has outlined a four-part plan:
-
Mandatory microchipping for all dogs and cats
-
Education programmes for owners and children
-
Support for adoption over buying
-
Expansion of foster care networks
Foster homes, in particular, are seen as vital. By offering animals temporary care in a home environment, they help ease the burden on shelters and increase animals’ chances of being rehomed permanently.
From crisis to compassion: A cultural shift needed
The abandoned pets crisis in Spain is not just a seasonal issue—it’s a cultural one. Until animals are viewed not as commodities but as lifelong companions, the cycle will repeat.
A shift is needed in how society values animal lives—from more responsible ownership to legislative change and long-term public education. Without it, Spain’s shelters will remain on the brink, and countless dogs and cats will continue to suffer in silence.
Source: El Español