Document type : Press release by the FrenchMinistry of Agriculture and Food
Author: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Preview: Presented last December by Julien Denormandie, French Minister of Agriculture and Food, the first action plan to combat the mistreatment of pets is continuing its roll-out with the establishment of a Protection of Pets watchdog. This move comes as an addition to the series of measures in the France Relance plan that have been fully adopted by the national network of associations and groups and which continue to be put in place. 245 local projects have already received support to the tune of 7 million euros.
Creation of a French Pet Protection Observatory to strengthen data monitoring and guide public policy
Established on 28 May at the behest of the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Julien Denormandie, this monitoring body will make it possible for the first time in France to have access to consolidated data on the number of animal abandonments and the main reasons for them. The data will be analysed by the French Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, which brings together experts in research, development and training. The Observatory is made up of representatives from local authorities, experts, stakeholders in animal identification and protection, members of the public, veterinarians and professionals. By Summer 2021, it will issue its first opinions and recommendations to improve public policies in the fight against abandonment.
Implementation of measures in the France Relance plan to support the activities of associations and groups
The agricultural section of the France Relance plan proposes the provision of financial support to pet protection associations. 7 million euros have already been allocated to :
- 5 national animal protection associations to help strengthen their activities and share their expertise with local authorities and agencies;
- 64 cat or dog sterilisation campaigns (purchase of equipment, payment of veterinary costs, etc.) run by local authorities or associations;
- 176 projects involving modernisation or provision of equipment for existing and new shelters (including 147 reception centres for domestic carnivores and 29 equine shelters).
For these last two elements of the plan, many projects are still under appraisal and the successful applicants will be announced in the coming weeks.
"France holds the record for the number of abandoned pets. We must show determination in acting to change this. This is a joint effort to which the Government is fully committed. In addition to the support for associations provided by the France Relance plan, the Pet Protection Observatory launched today will enable us to create more effective public policies in the future because they will be based on data from proper monitoring tools, whereas assessments of pet abandonment in France have until now been based on simple estimates. »
