Mexico and Spain enact new animal‑welfare legislation

The State of Mexico approved a comprehensive Animal Protection, Care and Welfare Law, creating a single registry for companion animals, a register of protective associations, a citizen council and a database of people who harm sentient beings. The law, signed by Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez, also raises penalties for cruelty and aims to promote responsible pet ownership.

Spain’s new Animal Welfare Law, which took effect nationwide, obliges all dog owners to obtain civil‑liability insurance. The measure extends a requirement that already existed for dangerous breeds in several autonomous regions, seeking to standardise protection, reduce risks to third parties and encourage responsible ownership. Both statutes are part of broader efforts to improve identification, care and legal accountability for pets.