Adopting a dog from Spain: what you need to know

Thinking about adopting a dog from Spain? Discover how the adoption process works, the main health risks to be aware of, and how to help your new dog settle in during the first few weeks.

Every year, thousands of dogs travel from Spain to the UK to join a new family. Often they're galgos, podencos or street dogs rescued by a charity from a shelter or from the street. It's a wonderful way to give a dog a second chance, but adopting from abroad calls for different preparation than collecting a puppy from a UK breeder.

The short answer: adopting a dog from Spain can work out very well, provided you choose a reputable rescue, factor in Mediterranean health risks such as leishmaniasis, and give your dog time to adjust to a completely new world. In this article, you'll find out how the adoption process works, which rules apply, the main health risks to know about, and how to make the first few weeks at home as smooth as possible.

How does the adoption process for a Spanish dog work?

Most Spanish shelter dogs come to the UK through a rescue charity that works with a local shelter (perrera) or a private foster network in Spain. The process usually follows a set of fixed steps:

• Initial contact from a distance. You look at photos and videos of the dog and read a behaviour description, often written by volunteers on the ground.
• Application and home check or questionnaire. A reputable charity wants to know how you live, whether you have experience with nervous dogs, and who else lives in the household.
• Veterinary check in Spain. Before departure, the dog is microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and tested for the main Mediterranean diseases.
• Transport. This usually happens by transport van with several dogs at once, under supervision and with fixed stops. Flight transport also occurs, especially with smaller charities or urgent cases.
• Arrival and handover. On arrival in the UK, you meet your dog in person for the first time, usually at a central meeting point.

Expect a period of a few weeks to a few months between application and arrival, depending on the charity and the transports available.

How do you recognise a trustworthy adoption charity?

Not every rescue organisation works with the same level of care. A few signs help you tell a serious charity apart from an organisation mainly focused on speed and volume.

• The charity uses a written adoption contract and asks about your living situation, any other pets and your experience.
• A thorough behaviour description is available, not just cute photos.
• The dog travels with a valid EU pet passport, a microchip and the result of a blood test for Mediterranean diseases.
• You receive support after adoption and can get in touch with questions, even if issues appear after a few weeks.
• There's clarity about the adoption fee and what it covers, such as neutering, vaccinations and transport.

Health risks: which Mediterranean diseases should you know about?

Spain has a number of diseases that are barely present in the UK, but which dogs from warmer regions may have picked up. They're spread by sand flies, ticks and mosquitoes that are (still) barely present in the UK. A good charity has the dog tested before departure, but some of these diseases have a long incubation period and may only become visible months after arrival.

This doesn't mean every Spanish dog is ill. Many dogs are completely healthy and stay that way. Still, it's wise to have a follow-up blood test done by your own vet around six months after arrival, in addition to the test carried out before departure, as some of these diseases can only be detected after a longer incubation period. Ask your vet whether extra protection against ticks and sand flies makes sense, even living in the UK. Take a look at our flea, tick and deworming collection for everyday protection.

Travel and import rules: what needs to be arranged?

Fixed rules apply for bringing a dog into the UK, even when the dog is transported as "rescued". A reputable charity arranges this before departure, but it's worth checking yourself that everything is in order once the dog arrives:

• Microchip. Every dog must have a registered ISO microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination. Mandatory, and at least 21 days old at the time of travel.
• EU pet passport or animal health certificate. This records the microchip number, vaccinations and the results of any health tests.
• Minimum age. Puppies can only travel once old enough to be vaccinated and microchipped, usually around fifteen weeks.

Do check the current UK government rules before travelling, as requirements for bringing pets into Great Britain can differ from general EU rules and are occasionally updated.

What can you expect from your dog's behaviour early on?

A dog coming from the Spanish streets or a shelter often has little experience of a home environment: stairs, laminate flooring, a television switched on, a lead attached to a collar. Behaviourists often use the "3-3-3 rule" as a rough guideline, not as exact science:

• The first 3 days, the dog is often overwhelmed. Expect withdrawn, fearful or very quiet behaviour.
• The first 3 weeks, the dog starts getting used to the routine, but real trust isn't there yet.
• The first 3 months, the dog gradually builds a bond and trust with you and your family.

Wondering whether your dog is reacting fearfully or uncertainly to other dogs or situations? From fear to trust: training for dogs with negative experiences offers concrete steps to build confidence calmly.

Checklist for the first few weeks at home

• Book an appointment with your own vet within a week of arrival for a general check-up and to confirm the microchip registration.
• Set up a fixed, quiet spot where the dog can retreat, without children or other pets disturbing them there.
• Use a sturdy harness and a securely fitted collar on the first walks, and don't let the dog off the lead yet.
• Limit visitors and commotion in the first few days, even though the temptation to show off the new dog to everyone straight away is strong.
• Keep a fixed crate or carrier for the car and as a safe place at home; this provides structure in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.
• Plan a follow-up blood test for Mediterranean diseases around six months later, even if the dog seems healthy.

A sturdy, secure crate or transport box is no unnecessary luxury during this period: it gives a newly arrived dog a recognisable, predictable spot in a home full of new impressions. A crate mat makes it that bit cosier straight away.

Common mistakes when adopting a dog from abroad

• Thinking "rescued" means the same as "trained". Many Spanish shelter dogs have never learned to walk on a lead or stay home alone. That calls for patience, not a strict regime.
• Letting the dog off the lead too soon outdoors. Even a dog that seems calm after a few weeks can still bolt in a panic at an unexpected sound.
• Skipping medical follow-up. A negative test before departure is no guarantee for the rest of the dog's life; a check-up after six months is just as important.
• Not building in a settling-in period. Heading straight to a dog park, a doggy daycare or a busy market is often too much for a dog that's just arrived.
• Comparing them to a UK puppy. An adult shelter dog develops differently and at a different pace than a puppy raised in a family from eight weeks old.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to adopt a dog from Spain?
Yes, as long as the dog meets the requirements for a microchip, rabies vaccination and a valid pet passport or health certificate. A recognised charity typically arranges this for you.

How much does it cost to adopt a Spanish dog?
Adoption fees usually range from around 250 to 450 euros, depending on the charity. This generally covers neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, the passport and part of the transport.

Is a Spanish shelter dog dangerous for my other pets?
That depends entirely on the individual dog and their history, not on where they came from. Ask the charity explicitly for the behaviour description around other dogs and any cats, and always build introductions calmly and under supervision.

Do I still need to have my dog neutered after adoption?
Most charities already arrange this in Spain before the dog travels. Check this in the paperwork; if it hasn't been done yet, discuss a suitable time with your vet.

How long does it take before a shelter dog truly settles in?
This varies a lot from dog to dog, but expect anywhere from a few months to a year before a dog feels completely at ease. Small steps forward, such as reacting more calmly to sounds, already count as progress in the right direction.

Summary

Adopting a dog from Spain is a valuable way to give a shelter dog a new life, provided you prepare the process properly. Choose a charity that's transparent about health, behaviour and costs, factor in Mediterranean diseases such as leishmaniasis, and plan a vet check both after arrival and again after six months. Above all, give your dog time: on average it takes weeks to months before a newly adopted dog truly feels safe. With patience, a calm first period and the right preparation, an uncertain shelter dog often grows into a fully settled family companion.

Looking for the right gear for your new dog? Take a look at our value packs, with a handy starter kit to welcome your new dog.

Sources: ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) and general guidelines for transporting pets. We are not vets; if in doubt about your dog's health, always consult your own veterinarian.

Tags

Adoptie Buitenland Gezondheid & Preventie Hond Kennisbank

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email