In Spain, the registration of pets in the autonomous communities is mandatory. When we read the word "mandatory" we tend to think of something tedious imposed by the government; but the truth is that registering our pets can have more benefits than obligations. If one day our beloved dog or cat gets lost and is found by another person or organization, it is thanks to the RIAC that we, their owners, will be able to get them back.
The Pet Identification Register, or RIAC, operates by autonomous communities and was created with the aim of having a register that facilitates control, the recovery of lost animals, responsible ownership, health control, and the development of statistical and epidemiological studies.
Registration is also necessary if you plan to travel to other European countries as it is one of the requirements for obtaining the European Veterinary Passport.
COLVEMA:
COLVEMA, the Official College of Veterinarians of Madrid, provides us with updated information and news about pets, veterinarians, and regulations. In addition, on their website we can find all the detailed information about the RIAC, as well as access the registration system once our pet has been registered.
How do I register my pet?
Registering our pets is very simple. For example, if you live in Madrid, it is done via the microchip that the vet implants under the dog's skin; it is the vet who will register the animal. Similar steps apply to other communities (at the end of this note we provide links for the different communities).
What if my pet gets lost?
If your dog or cat is lost, it is important to report its disappearance to the RIAC in your community.
Thanks to the registration of the microchip identification number, the owner's contact details can be located and the pet returned home.
I'm moving, should I notify the RIAC?
If you move, you will surely notify the bank, services, family, among others. You must also update your details in the RIAC. You can do this in a few steps on their websites.
If you move from one Community to another, it is important that you unregister from your current RIAC and register in the new one.
In Madrid alone, more than 16,000 pets are recovered annually due to theft or loss. In Spain, an estimated 200,000 pets are lost each year, 41 percent of owners have lost them at some point, and 26 percent never get them back. Identifying and registering your pets is an obligation we have to our best friends and to ourselves.
If you have any questions, you can contact the RIAC of your community by phone or email:
Andalusia –Aragon –Asturias –Valencian Community –Canary Islands –Cantabria –Castilla La Mancha –Castile and Leon –Catalonia –Ceuta –Extremadura –Galicia –Balearic Islands –La Rioja –Madrid –Melilla – Murcia –Navarre –Basque Country