When 70-year-old Catalina opens the door to her home, Esquitx is the first to greet any visitor. The little Maltese bichon does not stray far from its owner. It follows her all around the house, sits beside her when she watches television, and waits patiently every time she goes out to run an errand. "I'm going shopping," she tells him, and he already knows it's time to wait. For Catalina, however, Esquitx is much more than a pet. "He is my life companion. I love him madly," she asserts. The relationship between the two has strengthened over the years, to the point that the retiree cannot conceive of daily life without him, now that her children are adults and go their own ways. "I never feel alone. I always have him by my side and he gives me immense joy. Just seeing him changes my day," she explains.

Dogs and cats stopped being simple pets a long time ago. Today they are part of many families, occupy a central place in homes and, in numerous cases, become the main recipients of their owners' care and affection. The Balearic Islands are a good example of this. The Archipelago already registers 404,489 pets, including dogs, cats and other species, a figure that far exceeds the population under 18 years of age, which stands slightly above 200,000 people. That is to say, there are practically two pets for every minor.

Until now, abandoning or surrendering a pet in the municipality of Manacor was free of charge for the owner, and the collection and care of the animal were paid for exclusively by the City Council. Now, however, with the modification of the municipal ordinance, things are changing, and the responsible party will have to pay a series of fees. This week, the Manacor City Council approved an urgent update to the animal welfare ordinance, "which was outdated and did not reflect the real cost of the procedure," explains the Councilor for the Environment, Mateu Marcé.

The Sencelles Town Council has launched a canine genetic census with the aim of improving coexistence in the municipality, promoting responsible pet ownership, and moving towards a cleaner town. This pioneering initiative in the municipality allows for the identification of all dogs through a simple saliva sample and is free for their owners. Registration is mandatory for all dogs living in Sencelles, regardless of whether their owners are registered residents. Registration is free until March 31, 2026. Following the first sessions held on January 16 and 17, the Town Council has scheduled further sessions on January 30 and 31, with appointments still available. One of the main objectives of the genetic census is to reinforce civic responsibility and respect for public spaces. The system will allow for the identification of animals and action to be taken against uncivil behavior, especially regarding the collection of dog feces. The city council wants to emphasize the importance of keeping the streets clean and avoiding practices such as leaving bags of dog feces on the sidewalks, a problem that causes discomfort among residents.

The Llubí Town Council has launched the mandatory municipal census registration for all pets. This census is established within the framework of the Llubí municipal ordinance regulating animal welfare, which was definitively approved in July. Pet owners can register their animals until February 27, 2026, during Town Hall office hours. This temporary registration period coincides with the ordinance's entry into force. The measure means that all pets within the Llubí municipality must be registered in the census and microchipped. It's important to remember that this ordinance was approved with the aim of guaranteeing animal welfare, promoting responsible pet ownership, reducing abandonment and loss, encouraging adoption, and ensuring respectful coexistence between people and animals in the municipality. Among the most significant changes in the ordinance is the creation of this mandatory municipal census for all pets. Registration in the census is a mandatory requirement for all residents of the municipality who own pets, especially dogs or cats. Microchip identification is also required for all registered animals, along with the issuance and management of a municipal census card for each animal and the obligation to report any change of ownership or address. In case of death or disappearance, the animal must be removed from the census. Obligations are also established regarding the management of feline colonies, adoptions, the collection of abandoned animals, and other related matters. Sanctions Regime

The ordinance's penalty system specifically states that failing to identify or register animals with a microchip is considered a serious offense. Fines range from €750 to €1,500. If there is a repeat offense, or if the offense is considered very serious, the fine can reach up to €3,000. It's worth noting that, in addition to this census now implemented by the City Council, the new regulations include minimum ownership requirements to guarantee the health and well-being of the animals, such as adequate space, food, exercise, and veterinary care. It mandates the sterilization of cats with access to the streets and regulates the management of community cat colonies.

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The animals of Sant Joan have an ally in new communication platforms. In the municipality of Pla, the WhatsApp group 'Ayuda animales de Sant Joan' (Help Animals of Sant Joan) has been launched, already boasting over 150 members. The group was created to help lost and found animals in the town. Members can send photos, locations, or any other information that might contribute to improving the animal's well-being. The group's rules guide members on how to act if they find a lost animal. They advise that if they are able to catch the animal, they should call out immediately and are advised to be patient, as its family will often come out.

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The Llubí City Council has definitively approved the municipality's Animal Welfare ordinance, which aims to regulate the protection, ownership, and possession of animals. It also aims to "guarantee responsible animal ownership, reduce abandonment and loss, and also promote citizen participation and education in animal protection."

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There are more pets in the Balearic Islands than there are residents of Menorca and Ibiza. Both islands have a combined total of nearly 270,000 residents. On June 25, there were 310,274 dogs and 60,330 cats registered in the archipelago, according to data from the Balearic Islands Pet Identification Registry. In a context where the animal population continues to grow, so have services, such as health insurance to cover veterinary expenses. Another example is kennels, spaces where owners can leave their pets when traveling or hospitalized.

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