Pets in Spain
Updated: October 2026
Living in Spain with a dog or cat – or thinking of adopting one? This page brings together all our pet guides: the rules, bringing pets to Spain, insurance, adoption, dog-friendly beaches and seasonal dangers, plus a list of animal shelters on the Costa del Sol that are always looking for adopters, foster homes and volunteers.
Our pet guides
- Moving to Spain with a dog or cat: paperwork, travel and settling in
- Spain’s animal welfare law in 2026: what pet owners must know
Animal shelters on the Costa del Sol and in Málaga province
Adopt, foster, donate or volunteer. Contact the shelter first – opening hours and needs change.
- Sociedad Protectora de Animales y Plantas de Málaga – Málaga city. protectoramalaga.com
- Suspiros de Cuatro Patas – Málaga. suspirosdecuatropatas.org
- Asociación Protectora Fidelio – Benalmádena. asociacionfidelio.org
- PAD (Protectora de Animales Domésticos) – Mijas. padmijas.org
- ACE / SHIN – Mijas. ace-charity.org
- Triple A Marbella – Marbella and San Pedro. tripleamarbella.org
- ADANA – Estepona. adana.es
- Galgos en Familia – greyhound rescue, Málaga. galgosenfamilia.org
- Axarquía Animal Rescue – east of Málaga. axarquiaanimalrescue.com
- El Refugio de Leo – Axarquía. elrefugiodeleo.com
- Protectora R.A.U. – Ronda and the Serranía. protectorarau.wordpress.com
Run a shelter or rescue group that is missing here? Email us and we will add you free of charge.
Vets, groomers and pet services
Find local vets, dog walkers, groomers, kennels and pet shops in our Find a Business directory. Are you a pet business on the Costa del Sol? List your business with us.
This page is general information. Shelter details change – check with the shelter directly.
Moving to Spain: checklist for your first 30 days
The best beaches on the Costa del Sol, from Manilva to Nerja
Buying a car in Spain in 2026: new, used and the paperwork
Andalucía guide: cities, culture and life in southern Spain
Understanding the tax system in Spain
