Madrid Sees Record Pet Adoptions and Decline in Abandonment in 2025
Madrid, January 21 – The Community of Madrid witnessed a significant positive trend in animal welfare last year, with over 6,500 abandoned dogs and cats finding new homes. This remarkable achievement comes alongside a decrease in the number of abandoned animals, indicating the growing success of regional initiatives aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and adoption.
According to data released by the Community of Madrid, more than 6,500 dogs and cats were adopted in 2025. Specifically, 3,020 dogs found new families, while 3,365 were abandoned, representing an 8.9 percent decrease in abandonment compared to 2024, when 3,693 dogs were abandoned. Cat adoptions also saw a strong performance, exceeding 3,500 for the year, bringing the total number of adopted companion animals to 6,538.
The Role of Animal Shelters and ‘Zero Sacrifice’ Policy
The region’s network of animal shelters played a crucial role in these positive outcomes, facilitating homes for 90 percent of abandoned dogs last year – a six-point increase from 2024. The Integral Animal Shelter of the Community of Madrid, established in 2005, serves 85 municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, providing essential services such as collection, maintenance, health control, and rehoming of lost, stray, or abandoned animals. This center also conducts interviews with prospective owners to ensure a suitable match between animal and family.
The Community of Madrid has maintained a ‘zero sacrifice’ policy even before the 2016 Animal Protection Law, underscoring its commitment to animal welfare. In addition to the regional center, there are 90 other shelters: 67 municipal (20 permanent and 47 temporary) and 23 private shelters, 18 of which are managed by protective societies.
Significant Investment in Animal Welfare
The regional government allocates 2.3 million euros annually to animal welfare, with 1.8 million euros directed to local entities and non-profit organizations, and half a million euros to its Integral Animal Shelter in Colmenar Viejo. Last year, this regional center alone facilitated the adoption of 83 dogs and 109 cats.
Promotional Campaigns and Social Media Engagement
To further encourage adoption and responsible pet ownership, the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior conducts various initiatives. The 20th edition of the Companion Animal Adoption Fair, held last November, saw nearly 500 animals (348 dogs and 143 cats) find new homes. Additionally, the ‘El Plan es Adoptar’ campaign in December featured open days at 20 shelters, further boosting adoption rates.
Social media platforms like AdoptaCmadrid on X, Facebook, and Instagram, along with the Mascomad mobile application, also play a vital role. This platform consolidates information on all participating public and private shelters and the animals available for adoption, making it easier for potential adopters to find their new companions.
Microchipping and QR Code Identification
The Community of Madrid has been a pioneer in pet identification, introducing microchipping in 1993. Thanks to this system, 1,757 lost dogs were reunited with their owners. In 2024, the region also implemented identification via QR codes. This innovative tool allows anyone who finds a lost dog to access the owner’s details using a mobile phone, eliminating the need to visit a veterinary center for microchip scanning.
Growing Population of Registered Dogs
The number of registered dogs in the region has steadily increased, reaching 525,827 in 2025, a 53.9 percent increase from 341,600 in 2015. This growth highlights the increasing pet ownership in Madrid and the importance of continued efforts in responsible pet care and adoption.
Source: abc.es
