Antofagasta and Cuenca update animal welfare and pet ownership regulations

Municipalities in Chile and Ecuador are implementing new regulations to improve animal welfare and pet ownership responsibility.

In Antofagasta, Chile, the Municipal Council unanimously approved a new ordinance to replace a 15-year-old regulation. The new framework shifts focus from canine control and capture to animal well-being, abandonment prevention, and shared responsibility between the municipality and residents. Mayor Sacha Razmilic noted that the law defines the rights and duties of pet owners and strengthens institutional protections to prevent abuse.

In Cuenca, Ecuador, the Environmental Management Commission is proposing reforms to the Urban Fauna Control and Management Ordinance. Proposed changes include significantly higher fines for animal cruelty, with very serious infractions potentially reaching 2,410 dollars. The reforms also include mandatory sterilization to control overpopulation, a ban on the digital sale of cats and dogs, and improved identification through microchips and collars.