12/12/2025
𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪? Spain officially updated its Civil Code in early 2022 to recognize pets as sentient beings rather than property. Courts must now consider an animal’s wellbeing in divorce, custody, and ownership disputes. This landmark law reflects a growing European movement to treat pets as family members, not objects.
Spain made history back in 2022 by officially recognizing pets as legal family members. Under the new Civil Code, animals are no longer treated like furniture or assets. Instead, courts must consider their wellbeing in custody disputes, divorces, and ownership battles.
🚫 That means a dog can’t be taken from the person who provides safety. A cat can’t be shuffled like a couch on a list of possessions. There, pets are now seen for what they truly are: companions with feelings and emotional bonds.
This change mirrors what science has shown—dogs and cats notice our moods, calm our stress, and sit beside us through moments words can’t capture. For millions of families, they are the heartbeat of the home. ❤️
🌍 Spain joins a rising movement across Europe to recognize animals as sentient beings deserving protection. It’s a cultural shift toward empathy and responsibility, and it raises a powerful question: When will the rest of the world follow?
👉 Fun Fact: Spain’s Civil Code now defines animals as “living beings endowed with sensitivity,” making emotional wellbeing part of legal decisions for the first time.
💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀:
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱: Follow local animal welfare organizations to track legislation in your state.
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽: Contact your representatives to show support for stronger protections.
𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 & 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲: Help shelters and rescues who advocate for better standards.
𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲: Use your voice on social media to highlight why pets deserve protection.
𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: Encourage lawmakers to adopt similar protections in your country or state.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Support animal rights groups pushing for recognition of pets as sentient beings.
𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: Remind friends and family that pets are more than property—they’re family.
❤️ If you care about your animal family members, supporting these laws ensures they live safer, healthier lives.
💬 Dog parents, what do you think—should the U.S. adopt laws like this? Drop a 🐾 if you believe pets deserve family status everywhere!
