ARPA Proposes Proactive Reforms to Strengthen Andorra's Animal Welfare Law

The Animal Rescue and Protection Association (ARPA) has submitted proposals to the Andorran government for strengthening the upcoming animal welfare law, focusing on preventive traceability systems, owner accountability, and controls on irregular breeding to address illicit trade risks in the Principat.

The document, delivered to the executive on Wednesday as reported by El Periòdic, Diari d'Andorra, and Altaveu, urges a shift from reactive sanctions to proactive measures. ARPA highlights Andorra's small size, limited registered animal population, and position between international borders as advantages for implementing a pioneering model of documentation checks, reproductive oversight, and administrative verification. The group stresses feasibility, noting it avoids unworkable demands and aims for a "modern, coherent, and effective" framework that recognizes animals as sentient beings while promoting citizen responsibility.

Key elements include a required information and responsibility form prior to any animal purchase, adoption, transfer, or ownership change. This would cover basic needs, legal obligations, estimated costs, and traceability details. Authorities would then verify the new owner's identity for legal restrictions, in line with data protection rules. Approval would issue a document to finalize the animal's official registry, though its lack would not block veterinary care or emergencies. The plan separates administrative from veterinary roles to improve protections.

ARPA calls for unified animal tracking through veterinary monitoring, litter controls, document checks, and reproductive records, targeting gaps in areas like commercial hybrids, unofficial breeding lines, and "designer dogs." This seeks to prevent underground markets, uncontrolled reproduction, and cross-border trafficking without burdening ethical operations.

Further suggestions cover professionalizing protection centers with training in animal behavior, handling, and ethology by qualified staff. On housing, the association advocates treating companion animals as family members and limiting restrictions to proven coexistence issues, health risks, or welfare conflicts—citing French laws that invalidate blanket bans in homes.

ARPA also seeks clear rules for animal education, training, and behavior modification, defining professional qualifications to curb unqualified practices and overlaps. The reform, described as a significant advance, would modernize regulations and reduce abandonment through better controls.