In Spain, registering pets with 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 bring 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, can have them returned to us.
The Companion Animal Identification Registry, or RIAC, operates by autonomous community and was created to maintain a registry that facilitates monitoring, 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 companion pets, veterinarians, and regulations. In addition, on its website, we can find detailed information about the RIAC, and it also allows us to access the registration system once our pet has been registered.
How do I register my pet?
Registering our pets is very easy. For example, if you live in Madrid, it is done through the microchip that the veterinarian implants under the dog's skin; the veterinarian is the one who registers the animal. Similar steps apply in the other communities (at the end of this article, we provide the links for the different communities).
What if my pet gets lost?
If your dog or cat has gone missing, it is important to report the disappearance to your community's RIAC.
Thanks to the microchip identification number registry, the owner's contact information can be located and the pet returned home.
I'm moving. Do I need to notify the RIAC?
If you move, you will probably notify the bank, service providers, family members, and others. You must also update your information in the RIAC. You can do this in a few steps on their websites.
If you move to a different autonomous community, it is important to deregister with your current RIAC and transfer your registration to the new one.
In Madrid alone, more than 16,000 pets are recovered annually after being stolen or going missing. In Spain, it is estimated that 200,000 pets go missing each year; 41 percent of owners have lost a pet at some point, and 26 percent never recover it. 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 your community's RIAC by phone or email:
Andalusia –Aragon –Asturias –Valencian Community –Canary Islands –Cantabria –Castilla-La Mancha –Castile and León –Catalonia –Ceuta –Extremadura –Galicia –Balearic Islands –La Rioja –Madrid –Melilla – Murcia –Navarre –Basque Country