The legislature convenes. - The AfD parliamentary group requests additional financial support for animal shelters.
During a meeting in Mainz on Tuesday, MP Ralf Schönborn revealed the AfD's plan to increase funding for Rhineland-Palatinate's animal shelters in the state parliament. These shelters are struggling with overcrowding, a backlog of investments, a lack of staff, and high expenses for materials and energy.
The government allocated 1.1 million euros to support these shelters last year, but the opposition faction is pushing for more funds in the upcoming budget. Schönborn didn't mention a specific amount, but it's clear that additional funds are needed.
The AfD is also pushing for a uniform, statewide identification and registration requirement for "stray" animals. This would enable lost or escaped pets to be identified and returned to their owners sooner, alleviating the burden on animal shelters. Furthermore, Schönborn mentioned that the AfD supports a nationwide ban on selling pets through online marketplaces.
Unfortunately, Rhineland-Palatinate's animal shelters are stretched to their limits. Many have closed admissions, and most animals can't be accepted. A recent statement by the German Animal Welfare Federation's Rhineland-Palatinate branch highlighted this problem. There are 65 registered associations in the state with permission to run an animal shelter, according to the Ministry of the Environment.
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In response to the AfD's request, the state parliament in Rhineland-Palatinate is considering providing more subsidies for struggling animal shelters in Mainz to alleviate issues such as overcrowding and high expenses. The AfD also proposes a uniform identification and registration requirement for stray animals to help reunite pets with their owners, reducing the burden on animal shelters. Meanwhile, animal shelters in the region are facing challenges with closed admissions and limited capacity, as highlighted by the German Animal Welfare Federation's Rhineland-Palatinate branch. The opposition faction has been pushing for additional funds to support these shelters in the upcoming budget.
