- Local and regional administrative bodies should be responsible for funding animal welfare initiatives.
In Thuringia, the Greens propose a fresh financing strategy for animal welfare. This involves a contract between the state and local municipalities, as conveyed by Environment Minister and Green Party's top candidate, Bernhard Stengele, in Erfurt. Essentially, we aim to establish an Animal Welfare Pact with the municipalities, where they agree to adequately fund local animal welfare groups. In return, the state guarantees a binding financial assistance.
Ample volunteers for animal welfare
There's a pressing need for improved funding to cover ongoing expenses like salaries, feed, and veterinary care. Backed by his party, Stengele supports the state animal welfare association's call for a statewide compulsion for spaying/neutering stray cats.
Typically, animal welfare organizations function on a voluntary basis, with some also managing animal shelters. They perform spaying/neutering operations on stray cats to curb animal distress caused by malnutrition and diseases due to an escalating cat population. They also look after found animals and contribute to animal rescue operations. However, as Stengele explained, many animal welfare advocates are reaching their breaking point. Costs are skyrocketing, workload is mounting, he said. Previously, the state offered annual subsidies for construction costs in animal shelters, but that's not sufficient.
The statewide compulsion for spaying/neutering stray cats, as proposed by Stengele, is aimed at improving animal welfare. The financial assistance guaranteed by the state under the Animal Welfare Pact will be crucial for animal welfare organizations to continue their operations effectively.
