Spain is already struggling to cope with hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats entering shelters every year. Now, police are warning that more puppies are being brought into the country illegally for profit, with some arriving without proper health controls and potentially carrying diseases. 

The Mossos d’Esquadra have detected a rise in animal trafficking through the AP-7, with dogs being transported from Eastern Europe and sold on in Spain for vastly more than they cost to acquire. For the animals, the consequences can be serious. For the people who unknowingly buy them, a new puppy can quickly become a major veterinary worry, while the trade continues to add pressure to a country already struggling with abandoned and unwanted animals.

Puppies crossing Spain for profit

The AP-7 has become a key route for the movement of animals into Spain, according to the Mossos. Dogs are reportedly being brought from Eastern European countries, with breeds including Chihuahuas, dachshunds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers among those identified, for traffickers, the financial incentive can be enormous.

A dog bought for around €100 can reportedly be sold in Spain for as much as €2,000, creating potential profits many times higher than the original purchase price. That makes puppies a lucrative commodity, particularly when animals can be moved across borders and sold to unsuspecting buyers. But the journey can carry a much greater cost for the animals, and potentially for the families who take them home.

The hidden health risk for buyers

Mossos environmental officers have warned that some animals arrive without the required sanitary controls. That means a puppy can appear perfectly healthy when it is offered for sale, only for an illness to emerge after it has reached its new home. For a family that has fallen in love with a puppy and paid a substantial amount of money for it, discovering that the animal is sick can mean distress, veterinary bills and, in the most serious cases, the possibility of losing a much-loved new pet.

The health risk is also one reason authorities are concerned about animals being moved outside the proper controls. International animal transport is not automatically illegal. Legitimate breeders, businesses and owners regularly move animals across European borders under established rules, the problem comes when those safeguards are bypassed.

Spain already has an enormous shelter problem

The renewed trafficking warning comes against a difficult backdrop for Spain’s animal shelters. Fundación Affinity recorded a shocking  285,720 dogs and cats entering Spanish shelters during 2025, equivalent to around 783 animals every day. Dogs accounted for 169,268 of those arrivals. The organisation describes abandonment and loss as an unresolved welfare problem in Spain, with shelters and municipal services facing the consequences.

The figures do not mean that all of these animals were abandoned,  the study includes animals that were lost as well as those abandoned, but they demonstrate the scale of the pressure facing Spain’s protection system. More than 285,000 animals entering shelters in a single year means thousands of dogs and cats need somewhere to go, veterinary treatment, food and, ultimately, a new home.

Against that backdrop, the existence of a commercial trade bringing additional dogs into the country for profit creates an uncomfortable contrast. Spain is struggling to find homes for animals already here while traffickers are exploiting demand for particular breeds.

Why the trade continues

The economics help explain why the problem is so difficult to eradicate. The demand for specific breeds creates a market in which buyers may be prepared to pay considerably more for a puppy than the person supplying it originally paid. That gap creates an incentive to move animals quickly and cheaply, the danger is that welfare can become secondary to profit.

Animals may be transported long distances, and puppies that have not received the appropriate veterinary checks can enter the Spanish market without buyers knowing exactly where they came from or what health risks they may carry. For prospective owners, the attraction of a particular breed or a seemingly good price can make it difficult to recognise the warning signs.

The warning for anyone buying a puppy

The Mossos investigation should therefore serve as a warning to people looking for a dog in Spain. A low price is not necessarily a bargain, particularly when a puppy’s history, health checks or origin cannot be properly established. Buyers should be able to establish where an animal was born, see appropriate documentation and verify its identification and veterinary history before handing over money. That matters not only for the individual puppy but for the wider animal-welfare system.

Fundación Affinity’s latest figures show that the abandonment problem remains deeply entrenched. In 2025, only a proportion of the animals entering shelters were puppies, while the majority of dogs were adults, demonstrating that the pressure does not end once an animal has been sold or adopted. The message from the AP-7 is therefore bigger than a police warning about one trafficking route.

For Spain’s animal lovers, the real concern is what happens when a puppy bought for profit becomes a sick animal, an expensive veterinary case or, eventually, another dog needing a place in an already stretched shelter system. A cheap puppy can come with a very high price, for the animal, its new family and Spain’s already overloaded animal-welfare network.

For families forced to flee their homes during a wildfire, flood or other disaster, one of the most frightening decisions can be what to do with their animals. Portugal has now taken steps to make sure that saving pets and other animals is not left entirely to owners, volunteers or charities when an emergency strikes.

From August 8, animals are formally part of Portugal’s civil protection system, meaning emergency planning must account for their search, rescue, evacuation, accommodation and care during disasters. The move puts Portugal ahead of the debate over how governments should protect animals when communities are evacuated and raises an obvious question for Spain, where the law already requires animal-protection measures in civil protection plans.

Portugal changes the rules for animals in emergencies

Portugal’s Law No. 38/2026, published on August 3, changes the country’s Civil Protection Framework Law and came into force on August 8. The legislation establishes that civil protection is responsible for protecting and rescuing animals as well as people and property in danger. The change is particularly significant because it moves animal rescue beyond being an issue dealt with primarily by individual owners or animal charities.

Emergency planning must now take animals into account, including their search, rescue, evacuation, accommodation and supply needs. Municipal authorities will also have to incorporate these considerations into their emergency planning. That could make a crucial difference during fast-moving disasters, when residents may have only minutes to leave their homes. A family told to evacuate because of an approaching wildfire, for example, should not have to choose between getting themselves to safety and returning to find a frightened dog, cat or other animal.

What happens to animals when disaster strikes?

Animals are often among the most vulnerable victims of major emergencies. Domestic animals can become trapped inside homes, while livestock may be left behind when farms are evacuated. Shelters can also face difficulties accepting animals, leaving owners reluctant to leave without them. Portugal’s new framework seeks to address that problem before an emergency happens.

The Portuguese Veterinary Medical Association has welcomed the incorporation of animals into civil protection, highlighting the importance of planning for their rescue and evacuation. The legislation also provides for arrangements allowing animals to be received and assessed during emergency operations. That is significant because simply telling people that their animals are protected is very different from having an organised system ready to respond.

Spain already has animal protection in its emergency plans

Spain, however, is not starting from scratch, the country’s Animal Welfare Law, Ley 7/2023, already requires civil protection plans to contain measures for protecting animals in accordance with existing legislation. Spain therefore recognised the need for animal protection during emergencies before Portugal introduced its latest changes.

The difference is that Portugal has now gone further in defining animal rescue as part of the civil protection response itself. Spain’s system is divided between national, regional and local authorities, meaning the practical arrangements can vary depending on the type of emergency and where it occurs.

Recent disasters have exposed the problem

Spain has already seen how quickly animals can become caught up in major emergencies. During the devastating DANA floods in Valencia, animal-protection organisations helped rescue and care for companion animals affected by the disaster. The Government subsequently provided financial support for organisations involved in those efforts. Wildfires this year have created similar situations, with vets, sanctuaries, volunteers and animal charities repeatedly rescuing victims and taking animals from areas threatened by flames.

The scale of the problem becomes particularly clear when evacuation orders cover rural areas containing large numbers of livestock, horses and domestic animals. For owners, evacuation is not simply a matter of getting themselves into a car and driving away. Animals may need transport, temporary accommodation, food, water and veterinary attention. Larger animals can require specialist vehicles and equipment. Without advance planning, those needs can quickly overwhelm voluntary organisations.

When will Spain follow Portugal?

There is currently no announced date for Spain to introduce an equivalent Portuguese-style reform, partly because Spanish law already requires animal-protection measures within civil protection planning. That makes the comparison between the two countries more complicated than simply saying Portugal has acted while Spain has not. Spain has already established the legal principle.

What remains less clear is whether it will develop a nationwide operational system comparable to Portugal’s new approach, with clearly defined responsibilities for finding, rescuing and evacuating animals during emergencies. Spain’s civil protection framework continues to evolve as authorities prepare for increasingly serious risks, including wildfires, floods and extreme weather. New emergency-planning measures have also included provisions relating to animal protection, suggesting that the issue is already being incorporated into Spain’s wider disaster planning.

But Portugal’s move could increase pressure for further action, for Spanish pet owners, farmers and animal charities, the distinction matters. When an evacuation order arrives, knowing that animals are legally protected is reassuring. Knowing who is responsible for getting them out could be far more important. Portugal has now taken a clear step towards answering that question. Spain has the legal foundation already. The next question is whether it will turn that foundation into a system that works when the emergency is actually happening.

Residents in Ceuta are facing a migration crisis that has moved far beyond the border, with around 1,500 migrants now living in makeshift shelters on a beach while police investigate alleged sexual assaults involving girls under 14. Thousands of people have taken to the streets demanding action, while Italy and Denmark are pressing for tougher European migration policies and repatriation centres outside the EU.

The situation has placed the Spanish enclave under intense pressure after the mass arrival from Morocco. Accommodation is struggling to cope, vulnerable migrants are living without permanent shelter and local authorities are calling for greater support as European governments debate how to prevent another large-scale crossing.

Around 1,500 migrants camp on Ceuta beach

Playa del Trampolín has become an improvised settlement for around 1,500 migrants who have nowhere else to stay after existing reception facilities reached capacity. Makeshift shelters made from reeds, branches, plastic and other materials now line parts of the beach. Many of those staying there are understood to be from sub-Saharan Africa, including a sizeable group of Sudanese migrants.

The beach has effectively become temporary accommodation, with people sleeping outdoors while waiting for authorities to determine what will happen next. The situation demonstrates the scale of the pressure facing Ceuta. The city has limited space and resources to accommodate a sudden increase in arrivals, while people requiring protection cannot simply be left without somewhere safe to stay. The beach camp has also created additional demands for local services, with municipal workers dealing with the consequences of hundreds of people living in an area that was not designed to function as a migrant reception centre.

Un safari por la Playa del Trampolín, en Ceuta. Así lucía esta mañana. Contrario a toda normativa municipal y quedando cada día más limitada la zona de baño para los ceutíes. Estoy esperando a ver si algún grupo ecologista se manifiesta al respecto. Háganlo ustedes y verán… https://t.co/Ev4QYVHlW9 pic.twitter.com/RkNnIzwwFS

— Rubén Pulido (@rubnpulido) August 9, 2026

Concerns grow over vulnerable children

The situation involving minors has added another serious concern, at least five girls under the age of 14 have reportedly been treated at Ceuta’s University Hospital following alleged sexual assaults, according to health sources cited by Spanish media. Police are investigating several suspected cases and prosecutors are examining some of the allegations.

The cases remain under investigation and the allegations should not be described as confirmed rapes. There have been no convictions establishing that the reported assaults took place as alleged. Nevertheless, the reports have intensified concerns about the safety of vulnerable migrants, particularly children who arrive without the protection of parents or other adults. The issue also highlights the difficulties faced by authorities when large numbers of people arrive in a short period and existing accommodation and safeguarding systems are placed under severe pressure.

Thousands protest in Ceuta

The situation has now triggered a major public response within the city as thousands of people gathered in Ceuta for a demonstration under the slogan “Basta ya. Ceuta no se rinde” (enough is enough, Ceuta will not give up) calling for action from the Spanish Government and greater support for the city.

The protest brought together people from different religious and cultural communities, making it broader than a demonstration organised around a single political group. The message from the streets was focused on the impact of the migration crisis on daily life in Ceuta and the need for authorities to regain control of a situation that has developed rapidly.

Ceuta’s president Juan Jesús Vivas has also called for greater assistance from Madrid, arguing that the city cannot be expected to deal with the consequences of a crisis of this scale on its own. The pressure is particularly acute because Ceuta is a small Spanish territory surrounded by Morocco. Its geography means that accommodation, healthcare and emergency services can quickly become overwhelmed when arrivals increase sharply.

This was Ceuta yesterday.

It doesn’t matter how hard Pedro Sánchez tries to sell us out, the people of Spain won’t allow it to happen. 🇪🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/FgZensNzyM

— Ada Lluch (@AdaLluch) August 10, 2026

Italy and Denmark call for repatriation centres

The political consequences are no longer limited to Spain, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have joined forces in demanding a tougher European response to irregular migration. The two leaders have rejected what they describe as “uncontrolled immigration” and called for repatriation centres to be established in third countries outside the EU. Their proposal is aimed at people who have been ordered to leave Europe but cannot be returned immediately to their countries of origin.

Under the idea being promoted by the two governments, migrants awaiting removal could potentially be transferred to facilities outside the European Union rather than remaining inside Europe while their cases are resolved. Meloni has already pursued a similar approach through Italy’s agreement with Albania, although that arrangement has encountered legal and operational difficulties. The Italian and Danish governments are also calling for more effective deportations and stronger measures against irregular migration.

Migration policy under renewed pressure

The timing of the proposal is significant because the Ceuta crisis has provided a fresh example of the difficulties faced by European countries when large numbers of people arrive within a short period. The debate is not limited to how migrants enter Europe. Governments are also facing questions over accommodation, returns, child protection and what happens to people whose applications fail.

The European response has traditionally relied on a combination of border controls, asylum procedures, agreements with countries outside the bloc and returns. Meloni and Frederiksen are now pushing for greater use of arrangements outside EU territory, arguing that Europe needs alternatives to the current system. That approach is likely to face scrutiny over the legal safeguards that would apply to people transferred to third countries, particularly those seeking asylum or claiming protection.

Ceuta left dealing with immediate consequences

While governments debate longer-term solutions, Ceuta is dealing with the immediate consequences. Around 1,500 migrants remain in the beach camp, existing facilities are under pressure and allegations involving minors are being investigated. At the same time, thousands of residents have publicly demanded action and local authorities are seeking additional help. The crisis has therefore developed into three connected problems for Spain.

There is the question of what happens to those who arrived during the mass crossing, the urgent need to provide safe accommodation for those who remain and the wider question of how Europe intends to handle irregular migration in the future. For Ceuta, the consequences are already being felt on the ground.

A beach has become an improvised camp, local services are under strain and residents are demanding answers. Meanwhile, two European governments are using the latest crisis to press for a fundamental change in how migrants who have no right to remain are dealt with. The events in Ceuta have turned a sudden border crisis into a much wider European argument over migration, returns and who should carry responsibility when the existing system reaches its limits.