Services for Stray Animals Should Not Be Overlooked in Budget Preparations

Services for Stray Animals Should Not Be Overlooked in Budget Preparations

As municipalities continue preparing their 2027 budgets, they are required under the Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals to allocate resources from their budgets at the prescribed rates and to use these appropriations exclusively for animal-related services. Otherwise, sanctions of up to imprisonment may be imposed on mayors, municipal council members and responsible officials.

As is well known, Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals mandates municipalities to allocate and use financial resources for animal shelters and services for animals for a period of three years.

Allocation of Resources for Animal Shelters

The allocated appropriations may not be used for any other purpose.

Until the Provincial Animal Protection Board determines that the capacity of animal shelters and/or natural habitat areas is sufficient in relation to the number of dogs in the province, at least 50% of the allocated financial resources must be spent on the construction of shelters and natural habitat areas or on increasing the capacity of existing facilities.

*2025, 2026 and 2027

The Law provides for imprisonment if the appropriations are not allocated or, despite being allocated, are not used. (Law No. 5199, Additional Article 1/3)

Liability

At a time when municipalities are preparing their budgets, it is of great importance that they demonstrate due sensitivity regarding this matter.