New animal law threatens pet stores

YOUR local pet shop is under threat from the new Animal Welfare Law approved by Congress, which contains measures prohibiting the sale of animals in retail establishments and bans their display for business purposes.

As well as threatening the survival of around 400 pet stores, the changes are expected to affect veterinarians and other sector professionals since certain types of pets will be banned. When the law comes into force, animals will only be available from breeders or animal protection organisations, and transfers between individuals must be free of charge and subject to a contract.

To discourage birds and reptiles from being bought ‘on a whim’ they will no longer be displayed in pet shops. The new law also establishes what can be considered a pet and bans species not considered native. It will be prohibited to have mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas or rabbits in the homes; or birds, parakeets, parrots, and anaphors from other countries. As for reptiles, there will be no more snakes, iguanas, chameleons, geckos, turtles, or spiders.

BENITACHELL has taken steps to improve pedestrian safety at the dangerous junction between Capelletes and the Moraira­Benitachell road. New pedestrian crossings have been installed, the pavement has been widened to 1.5 metres and safety railings have been fitted.

Both roads are very busy and these additional safety features will make it easier to cross the road at this intersection. Three extra pedestrian crossings will be installed, one of them opposite the car park.

This is an area with a lot of shops and services, as well as a great deal of traffic of cars and heavy vehicles, so the changes should make life easier for both pedestrians and motorists.

The previous pavements were too narrow for even a pushchair, but now there is enough space for everyone. The measure should also attract locals to the banks and stores in the street previously put off by the inconvenient, dangerous conditions.