Andorra – Animal Welfare and Cultural Issues

What are the general attitudes toward pets and animals in Andorra?

Animals and pets enjoy a broadly positive standing in Andorran society. Dogs are especially visible in daily life — on pavements, mountain trails, and inside many commercial premises — and their presence is considered entirely unremarkable. This ease of integration between dogs and human life has deep roots in Andorran culture, and the principality’s dramatic mountain terrain makes it a particularly appealing environment for owners who enjoy active outdoor pursuits with their animals.

Andorra is widely regarded as a welcoming destination for pet owners — a haven for those who love nature and the outdoors, with an abundance of both winter and summer recreational opportunities. Pets are permitted in national parks, provided they are kept on a leash, and many shops, restaurants, and hotels also open their doors to well-behaved animals. This receptiveness places Andorra in the same general category as its neighbours France and Spain, though it does not quite reach the level of canine integration seen in parts of Northern Europe — in the Netherlands or Germany, for instance, dogs routinely accompany owners into supermarkets and onto public transport without comment.

There are meaningful differences between urban and rural contexts within the principality. In Andorra la Vella and the larger parish towns, pet-keeping tends to be a leisure and companionship-oriented activity. In highland and rural communities, however, working dogs and hunting dogs remain a practical and culturally significant presence in agricultural life. Hunting is a well-established tradition in Andorra, and working dogs bred for this purpose are a common sight in more remote parishes.

Horses occupy a place of particular esteem in Andorran cultural memory, having played an important role in the country’s history and mountain economy. Visitors and residents alike should treat horses with appropriate respect and ensure their needs are properly met. Cattle and sheep farming also forms part of the backbone of traditional rural Andorran identity, and those exploring the countryside should remain mindful of the pastoral landscape and the animals that inhabit it.

What laws and regulations govern pet ownership in Andorra?

Andorra has established a clear regulatory framework for pet ownership at the national level, supported where applicable by local parish rules. The principal national legislation is Law 11/2016, which governs the keeping and protection of animals in the principality. Pet owners should consult the Government of Andorra’s official portal (govern.ad) and reach out to the Department of Agriculture for the most up-to-date guidance.

Registration and microchipping: All dogs must be registered with the appropriate authorities in accordance with Andorran regulations and must be individually identified either by microchip or by a clearly legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011. Microchipping is the current standard; the chip must conform to ISO 11784/11785 specifications. No national pet licence is required, but individual municipalities may impose their own rules — such as leash requirements or limits on the number of animals per household — so it is advisable to check local requirements in your area of residence.

Dangerous breeds: Andorra maintains specific rules for breeds classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous. These include the American Akita, Bullmastiff, Doberman, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Brazilian Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, American Pit Bull Terrier, Canary Dogo, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Akita Inu, and Tosa Inu. Owners must be adults with full legal capacity, must hold no sanctions related to dog ownership, must possess civil liability insurance, and must supply documentation showing completion of mandatory training. In public, these animals must be controlled on a non-extendable leash of no more than 1.5 metres and must wear a muzzle at all times. This framework is broadly consistent with similar legislation in both Spain and France, each of which maintains comparable restricted breed lists.

Leash laws and public conduct: Dogs must be kept on a leash in public areas unless a designated off-leash zone is available. Owners bear responsibility for cleaning up after their pets, and certain public spaces — including specific parks or nature reserves — may restrict pet access entirely. Signage at such locations should be checked before entry.

Cats and neutering: Under updated regulations, cats held in animal refuges and pounds are required to be neutered, reflecting a broader national effort to manage the domestic cat population responsibly. For further details on requirements that may apply to privately owned cats, contact the Department of Agriculture directly.

Rental accommodation: No blanket national legislation restricts pet ownership in rented properties in Andorra, but individual landlords and housing associations may impose their own conditions. Expats renting accommodation should review their lease carefully and clarify the position on pets with the landlord before signing, as this area is governed principally by private contract rather than by statute.

Are there animal welfare laws in Andorra, and how are they enforced?

Andorra has a legislative framework addressing both companion animal welfare and broader animal protection. The Law on Animal Keeping and Protection was first adopted in 1998, and the regulatory framework has been revised and extended several times since. The most recent consolidated reference is Law 11/2016, which regulates the keeping and protection of animals, while Law No. 14 on Animal Health and Food Safety — originally enacted in July 2012 — was last amended in February 2017.

The mistreatment or abuse of animals in any form is prohibited under Andorran law, including failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Abandoning an animal is equally illegal and can attract fines or even a custodial sentence. These provisions broadly align Andorra with the welfare standards of France and Spain, although the principality necessarily operates with a smaller enforcement infrastructure than its larger neighbours.

The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability, working alongside the Director of the Department of Agriculture, has introduced updated regulations establishing technical welfare and safety standards for animal shelters and refuges, with the aim of ensuring that all animals in institutional care are treated in a manner consistent with recognised animal welfare principles. All animal centres must be enclosed within a protective perimeter, and facilities must be designed to shelter animals from adverse weather while providing sufficient room for movement. Animals must receive adequate daily nutrition, permanent access to drinking water, and facilities must be maintained to an appropriate hygienic standard.

There are currently more than 150 animal pounds across Andorra’s territory. While the majority comply with established requirements, inspections have identified cases where facilities have been operating without the necessary administrative authorisations or in substandard conditions. A dedicated full-time inspector has been appointed to oversee ongoing compliance with the updated regulations.

The responsible ministry is the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability (Ministeri de Medi Ambient, Agricultura i Sostenibilitat), with operational enforcement handled by the Department of Agriculture (Departament d’Agricultura). Specific queries can be directed to the Department of Agriculture of the Government of Andorra on +376 875 703. Current legislation can be verified via the Government of Andorra’s official portal or the FAO FAOLEX database for Andorra, which catalogues all applicable national laws.

What animal welfare charities and rescue organisations operate in Andorra?

Despite its compact size, Andorra is home to a number of committed animal welfare organisations. These groups can be a valuable resource for expats who prefer to adopt a rescue animal rather than purchase from a breeder, and they also provide practical community information on responsible ownership.

GosSOS: GosSOS is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned or mistreated dogs in Andorra. Before any dog is rehomed, the organisation ensures it has been identified with a microchip, dewormed, vaccinated, and tested for leishmaniasis, giving prospective owners confidence in the animal’s health history. GosSOS depends entirely on volunteers and donations and is widely considered one of the most active canine rescue operations in the principality. It is an excellent first point of contact for expats considering adopting a dog.

Nami: Nami is an animal protection association in Andorra with a specific focus on the welfare and adoption of dogs. Like GosSOS, it operates on a volunteer and donation basis and promotes responsible and ethical rehoming practices.

Andorran Association for the Protection of Animals (AAPA): Established in 1989, the AAPA works to rescue and care for abandoned animals throughout Andorra. The organisation provides shelter, food, and medical treatment for animals in need while actively seeking suitable permanent homes for them. It also engages in public education around responsible ownership and the ethical treatment of animals.

Andorran Society for the Protection of Animals and Plants (SAPA): SAPA’s mandate extends beyond domestic animals to the natural environment as a whole, working to protect Andorra’s wildlife and ecosystems and to raise public awareness about the importance of conservation and animal welfare in the broader ecological sense.

Contact details and live adoption listings for these organisations are best verified directly, as smaller volunteer groups frequently update their information. Searching for “GosSOS Andorra” or “AAPA Andorra” online will direct you to their current social media channels and contact pages, which are generally the most reliable and current source of adoption enquiry information.

What should expats know about bringing a pet into Andorra?

Although Andorra is not a European Union member state, it has aligned much of its pet import framework with EU regulations, which makes the process relatively straightforward for those arriving from EU countries. There are, however, important details to understand, and requirements are subject to change — always verify current rules with the Department of Agriculture of the Government of Andorra (+376 875 703) before making travel arrangements.

How to bring a pet to Andorra — step by step:

1. Microchip your pet: Your pet must be individually identified with a 15-digit microchip compliant with ISO standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 before entering Andorra. Tattoo identification is only accepted if applied before 3 July 2011 and must remain clearly legible.
2. Vaccinate against rabies: A current rabies vaccination is mandatory for all pets. Where this is the animal’s first rabies vaccination, it must have been administered a minimum of 21 days before travel. The youngest age at which a puppy or kitten may enter Andorra from a rabies-controlled country is 12 weeks and 22 days; those arriving from a country with a high rabies risk must be at least seven months old.
3. Obtain additional vaccinations (dogs and cats): Beyond the rabies requirement, dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats must hold current vaccinations against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
4. Get a health certificate: A licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must complete a bilingual pet health certificate for Andorra, which must subsequently be endorsed by an official government veterinarian. For pets travelling from EU member states, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, or Vatican City, a pet passport is accepted in lieu. Pets coming from all other countries require an official animal health certificate.
5. Travel by road: All entry into Andorra is overland. The principality has no airport within its borders and no long-distance railway connections; travel into the country is therefore always by road, entering either from Spain or from France.
6. Check transit country rules: Andorra does not maintain its own list of banned breeds; however, because all pets must pass through Spain or France to reach Andorra, the breed restrictions of those transit countries apply. Spain requires certain breeds — including Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasiliero, Tosa Inu, and Akita Inu — to wear a muzzle while transiting.
7. No quarantine (if compliant): Pets meeting all entry requirements will not be subject to any quarantine period on arrival in Andorra. Animals that fail to satisfy the requirements may be refused entry or held in quarantine until they are brought into compliance.

Wolf hybrids and Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under standard regulations unless they are at least 5th generation removed from wild pedigree ancestry. Anyone wishing to enter Andorra with wild or exotic animals — whether native or non-native fauna — must obtain an import permit from the Government’s Procedures Service, addressed to the Department of Environment, together with the relevant species-specific documentation. Always confirm current requirements with the Government of Andorra or the Department of Agriculture before travelling, as rules are subject to revision.

Where can expats buy pet food, supplies, and veterinary care in Andorra?

Andorra’s status as a duty-free shopping destination means that consumer goods — including products for pets — are frequently available at prices lower than in neighbouring France and Spain. The widest selection of pet supplies is concentrated in Andorra la Vella and the adjacent urban area of Escaldes-Engordany, though basic provisions can be found in most parishes across the principality.

Pet supply shops: Pet Center is a well-established pet retailer in Andorra, stocking a broad range of products including food, accessories, toys, and bedding, alongside grooming services and veterinary support. Expats accustomed to large national pet retail chains — such as Pets at Home in the United Kingdom or PetSmart in North America — may find Andorra’s domestic pet retail sector more modest in scale, though the quality of available products is generally comparable to what is found in France and Spain.

Online retailers: A number of online pet supply platforms serve customers in Andorra. TiendAnimal (tiendanimal.es) is one such option, offering a wide product range with direct delivery. Spanish-based online retailers including Zooplus.es and Kiwoko.com also ship to Andorra, giving access to a wider selection of specialist and prescription-grade foods than may be stocked in physical stores. Amazon Spain (amazon.es) is another commonly used channel among expats for branded pet food and supplies.

Supermarkets: Major supermarkets operating in Andorra — including Pyrénées branches and local Andorran stores — carry standard lines of pet food. For prescription diets or specialist veterinary-grade nutrition, a veterinary clinic or dedicated pet shop will be the more appropriate source.

Veterinary care: Veterinary clinics are spread across all seven of Andorra’s parishes. In July 2025, Law 13/2025 formally established the Official College of Veterinarians of the Principality of Andorra (COVA), creating a professional regulatory body for veterinary practitioners in the country. This represents a welcome development for standards and accountability within the profession. Clinics can be found in Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Sant Julià de Lòria, La Massana, Encamp, and Pas de la Casa, meaning that residents across the principality are within reasonable reach of qualified veterinary services. Expats arriving from countries with round-the-clock emergency veterinary provision should be aware that out-of-hours care options are more limited in Andorra. It is worth establishing contact with a local vet soon after arrival and asking specifically about their emergency arrangements.

Are there cultural taboos, sensitivities, or religious considerations around specific animals in Andorra?

Andorra is a predominantly Roman Catholic country with a historically close-knit population, and its relationship with animals is shaped primarily by Pyrenean rural traditions rather than by the kinds of religiously grounded taboos that influence attitudes toward specific animals in some other parts of the world. Expats will not encounter the widespread cultural prohibitions around dogs found in some Muslim-majority communities, nor the reverence for cattle characteristic of Hindu-majority regions. Daily life poses no particular religious or cultural minefield in this respect.

Bullfighting remains legal in Andorra and is viewed by some as a legitimate part of traditional cultural heritage, though its popularity has declined considerably. At the same time, a growing segment of Andorran society regards the practice as cruel and no longer in keeping with contemporary values. Expats with strong animal welfare convictions should be aware that this tension exists within Andorran public discourse. Volunteering strong opinions on the subject — particularly in rural or traditional social settings — can cause offence, and a measured, respectful approach is advisable.

Hunting is a deeply ingrained tradition across much of rural Andorra, and the working dogs bred and trained for this purpose are viewed in a fundamentally different light to companion animals. In rural parishes especially, the line between working dogs and household pets is drawn much more sharply than in urban environments. Expats who have personal objections to hunting should be mindful that it is woven into the cultural identity of many rural Andorran communities and that overt criticism is unlikely to be well received.

For pet owners, the most relevant cultural expectations are practical in nature rather than ideological: keeping dogs on a leash in public areas, collecting and disposing of waste promptly, and respecting any access restrictions in parks, nature reserves, or mountain trails. Some public spaces impose prohibitions on pet access — signage at entry points should always be checked. Demonstrating consideration for others and acting as a responsible owner is the most effective means of building positive relationships within local communities.

What is the situation regarding stray or feral animals in Andorra?

Andorra does not face the significant stray dog populations that characterise parts of Southern and Eastern Europe. The principality’s compact, predominantly urban and semi-urban landscape means that large-scale feral animal problems are considerably less prevalent here than in many larger countries. That said, the issue is not entirely absent, and the government has introduced more formal management structures in recent years.

There are currently more than 150 animal pounds operating across Andorra’s territory. Although most comply with established requirements, inspections have revealed that a number of facilities have been functioning without the necessary administrative authorisations and in conditions that fall below required standards. The government has responded by tightening regulation of these facilities and introducing dedicated oversight to ensure compliance.

With regard to cats, updated regulations require that those held in animal refuges and pounds be neutered — a policy that reflects a trap-neuter approach to managing feral and stray cat populations, broadly in line with the methods employed in France, Spain, and Portugal. This is a more humane strategy than the culling-based approaches still in use in some countries and represents a progressive step in Andorra’s approach to animal population management.

The abandonment of animals is a criminal offence in Andorra, carrying the potential for fines or imprisonment. This legal deterrent plays a meaningful role in limiting the number of animals entering the stray population. Expats should understand clearly that surrendering a pet by abandonment when leaving the country is not merely an ethical failure but a violation of Andorran law.

Health and safety considerations: Andorra is regarded as a rabies-free or extremely low-risk country, consistent with the broader picture across Western Europe, where the disease has been largely eradicated in both domestic and wild animal populations. Nonetheless, keeping pets’ vaccinations current remains a legal requirement. In the event of a bite or scratch from an unknown animal, prompt medical advice should be sought. For official guidance, consult the Government of Andorra’s public health services or the WHO country office guidance. Leishmaniasis — a parasitic illness transmitted by sandflies that can affect dogs — is present across the wider Pyrenean and Iberian region. Rescue organisations such as GosSOS test all dogs for leishmaniasis prior to rehoming; it is worth discussing preventive treatment options with your vet when you first register your pet.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to quarantine my pet when moving to Andorra?

There is no quarantine period for pets entering Andorra, provided all entry requirements are met. However, if your pet does not satisfy the requirements, it may be refused entry or placed in quarantine until brought into compliance. Ensure microchipping, rabies vaccination, and documentation are completed in full before travelling.

Can I bring my dog, cat, or other pet to Andorra?

Dogs, cats, and ferrets are the only types of pets for which standard entry rules apply. Other pets such as birds, reptiles, and rodents are subject to different — and more complex — regulations. For wild animals or exotic species, an import permit must be requested from the relevant government department. Always confirm current requirements with the Department of Agriculture before travelling.

Is there a national pet licence or annual registration fee in Andorra?

There is no national licence requirement for pets in Andorra; however, some municipalities may have their own registration or licensing rules. Check with your local parish (comú) administration for any local requirements that may apply in your area of residence. Fees, if applicable, should be confirmed directly with the local authority, as these are set at parish level and may change.

What vaccinations does my pet need to enter and live in Andorra?

All dogs, cats, and ferrets must have a valid rabies vaccination, administered at least 21 days before travel. Dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats must hold current vaccinations against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Consult your vet and verify current requirements with the Department of Agriculture before travelling.

How do I find a vet in Andorra?

Veterinary clinics are present in all major towns across Andorra’s seven parishes, including Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Sant Julià de Lòria, La Massana, and Encamp. The Official College of Veterinarians of the Principality of Andorra (COVA), established under Law 13/2025, serves as the professional regulatory body and is a useful point of reference for locating a registered practitioner. Ask your vet about out-of-hours emergency arrangements at your first appointment.

Are there any breed bans or restrictions in Andorra?

Andorra does not publish a list of banned breeds. However, specific regulations apply to breeds deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous, including Rottweilers, Pit Bull Terriers, Dobermans, American Staffordshire Terriers, and others. Owners of these breeds must carry civil liability insurance, hold proof of mandatory training, and keep their dogs muzzled and on a short leash in public. Additionally, transit through Spain or France may impose further breed-specific requirements.

Where can I adopt a rescue pet in Andorra?

Andorra is home to several dedicated animal welfare organisations that facilitate pet adoption. GosSOS is a non-profit focused on rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned or mistreated dogs, and ensures all rehomed dogs have been microchipped, dewormed, vaccinated, and tested for leishmaniasis. The Andorran Association for the Protection of Animals (AAPA), founded in 1989, also works to rescue and rehome abandoned animals. Searching online for “GosSOS Andorra” or “AAPA Andorra” will provide access to their current contact details and adoption listings.

Is Andorra considered rabies-free?

Andorra sits within Western Europe, where rabies has been largely eliminated from both domestic and wild animal populations, and the country is considered very low risk. All pets entering Andorra are nonetheless required to hold a current rabies vaccination as a condition of entry. If you or your pet is bitten by an unknown animal, seek medical advice without delay. Consult the Government of Andorra’s health services or your local GP for current guidance on any emerging animal disease risks in the region.