As many as 130,000 abandoned cats and dogs were rescued in Spain during the course of 2015.
A study by campaigning and care group Fundación Affinity said that the figure is still “very high” while reporting that numbers have been falling in recent years.
Last year saw the lowest number since 2008 when almost 157,000 dogs and cats were taken in by animal shelters and other groups.
"It is troubling that so many animals continue to be abandoned. It is a structural problem that demands greater intervention and cooperation from all of those involved in prevention, whether public or private," the report concludes.
The report applauds the increased use of pet microchips which has resulted in more animals being reunited with their families.
Some 20% of rescued pets this year were returned to their owners while 44% were adopted into new homes.
About 14% of the rescued animals remained in the animal shelters and 10% had to be put down. An estimated one in three rescued animals were found to be sick or injured.
Two-thirds of the animals were living rough on the streets while the remainder were taken to shelters by their owners or finders.
The most common reason people could no longer look after their pets was said to be the animal’s behaviour or having an unwanted litter. In austerity Spain, economic reasons were also cited as was the end of the hunting season.
The abandonment or killing of hunting dogs in Spain is on the radar of a group of British pet owners who formed Podenco Alliance to fight cruelty involved.
Joanna Lumley OBE, a supporter, said that “the appalling treatment of Spanish hunting dogs strikes a chill to the heart”.
"It is impossible to believe that a country as sophisticated and fine as Spain could tolerate such unforgivable cruelty to living creatures," said the Ab Fab actress.
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