Document type written answer published in theJournal Officiel of the French Republic
Authors: question: Mrs Josy Poueyto (Democrat (MoDem et Indépendants) - Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
Question: Ms Josy Poueyto draws the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty to the worrying situation currently facing animal welfare organizations with regard to veterinary care for pets. Faced with the rising cost of living and a difficult economic climate, increasing numbers of dog and cat owners are asking animal welfare organizations for financial assistance to care for their pets and, if they cannot afford the associated veterinary costs, are taking the decisino to give up their animals or consider having them euthanized. By way of example, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation's budget for assistance to individuals with veterinary costs increased by 100,000 euros to 700,000 euros in 2023. Additionally, the profile of applicants for aid has changed and they are increasingly working people who are not on the lowest social benefits, but who find themselves unable to pay for their pet's expensive veterinary care. As a result, animal protection organizations are increasingly called upon both to provide financial assistance to pet owners and to take in animals the latter wish to surrender for lack of means. She would therefore like to know what the government intends to do to support these associations, which are currently having to bear an additional financial burden and accommodate an ever-increasing number of animals despite increased running costs. She would also like to know whether the government intends to regulate veterinary fees more closely, and to initiate in-depth discussions on the expansion of an inclusive form of veterinary medicine that would not be limited to welfare recipients and would include high-cost veterinary services.
Answer: Animal welfare associations that accommodate abandoned animals play an essential role, and it is for this reason that they are recognized as being organisations of general interest or public utility, which enables them to receive donations and legacies under favourable conditions. The fight against animal abandonment is a priority for the Ministry of Agriculture, and an entire section of the "Agriculture, Food and Forestry" part of the France Relance plan has been devoted to this issue. A total of 35 million euros (M€) has been allocated to the fight against animal abandonment, by improving the conditions in which animals are accommodated and supporting sterilization campaigns. Over 500 projects have been supported throughout France. 30 million euros were allocated directly to animal welfare associations that take in abandoned animals, to enable them to expand or renovate their shelters, or to conduct sterilization campaigns for stray cats and dogs, in partnership with municipalities. Of this €35 million budget, €5.5 million has been earmarked for the care of animals belonging to people on low incomes, the destitute or the homeless, through a financial agreement signed with the Vétérinaires pour Tous association as part of the France Relance plan (Measure 4 - Section C) to support veterinary care for these animals. This agreement also provides funding for a sterilization and identification campaign in veterinary establishments for cats owned by low-income individuals. This financial support is now being topped up through a new budget program, with a €1 million allocation approved as part of the Budget for 2023 and renewed for 2024. This funding supports animal protection associations that take in abandoned animals, whether companion animals or farm animals. Last, the Finance Bill for 2024 provides for the allocation of €3m to local authorities to help them pay for the sterilization of stray and domestic cats. With regard to veterinary fees, as the veterinary profession is both regulated and liberal, the Ministry has no plans to regulate them. Veterinarians are therefore free to set their own fees, taking care, in accordance with their profession's code of ethics, to determine their fees with due regard for the nature of the care provided and any special circumstances.
