Document type: Answer to o a question, published in th Journal Officiel de la République Française
Authors: question: M. Gérard Leseul Seine-Maritime (5th district) - Socialistes et apparentés. Answer: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry
Question: Mr. Gérard Leseul draws the attention of the French Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry to the protection and care of stray cats. He expresses his concern over the limited resources made available by the government to help associations that take in stray cats. The number of places available to associations to take in these animals is very limited, as are their financial resources. Faced with an upsurge in the number of abandoned cats in France, these organizations are working hard among themselves to accommodate as many animals as possible, so that they can be cared for, sterilized and then offered for adoption. According to those working in the field, reception facilities are full up and financial resources are increasingly limited. French Law 2023-1322 of December 29, 2023 offers an initial solution, providing for the creation of funding for the care of stray cats by local authorities, and the introduction of police advisers on animal welfare. He would like to know how and when these measures will be implemented.
Answer: Under current legislation, stray animals are impounded under the authority of the local mayor, but elected officials are under no obligation to sterilize stray or feral cats within their municipality. As an alternative, under Article L. 211-27 of the French Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, cats living wild in groups may be captured, sterilized and then released. This solution has the advantage of preventing the recolonization of sites. It does, however, require monitoring of the released population, and a budget for capture, veterinary procedures and proper feeding. Funding is provided by municipal councils and animal protection associations, in varying proportions. Law no. 2021-1539 of November 30, 2021, to combat animal abuse and strengthenthe bond between animals and humans, required the Government to draw up two reports on the subject of stray cats. The first, presenting a quantified assessment of the stray cat population in France and containing recommendations and funding proposals, is currently being finalized by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is based on interviews with local stakeholders, elected representatives, animal protection associations and veterinarians. It also aims to identify the various avenues for improving and financing actions to reduce feline straying. Article 12 of Law no. 2021-1539 makes provision for a trial enabling local councils, who have powers to manage stray cats, to enter an agreement with the national authorities in the region concerning the management of stray cats. Working groups have already been set up with representatives of the regional and departmental governments (Direction régionale de l'alimentation, de l'agriculture et de la forêt and Direction départementale en charge de la protection des populations) and town and rural authorities. The second report will focus on the results of this trial. Ahead of the publication of these reports, and in order to take swift action, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched several initiatives to combat feline abandonment and straying. A budget of 30 million euros (M€) has been earmarked for animal protection associations that take in abandoned dogs and cats or sterilize stray animals. In addition, on September 2, 2024, the French Ministry of Agriculture launched a call for projects to support local authorities and groups and public establishments for inter-communal cooperation (EPCI) that manage stray cats as a non-statutary activity. Pursuant to the Finance Act for 2024, the Ministry is making available a €3m fund for this purpose. Requests for funding mainly concern veterinary procedures for identifying and sterilizing stray cats, and any associated costs. The funding rate is set at 100% of eligible expenses, subject to a ceiling of €100,000 for the largest projects. In addition, special arrangements may be put in place under the responsibility of regional prefects in overseas departments and regions (DROM). Depending on the individual characteristics of these territories, domestic dogs may also be eligible. This funding is allocated as part of the pilot provided for in the above law of November 30, 2021, which allows for the establishment of agreements between national government and Mayors or Heads of territorial authorities and voluntary EPCIs, with the purpose of improving the management and care of stray or stray cat populations and setting out the skills and resources provided by each signatory with this objective in mind. To apply for a grant, local authorities had to respond to the call for projects on the web page entitled "Support for stray cat management projects", which was open for applications until October 10, 2024. This support is fully in line with the Government's national plan to improve the welfare of companion animals, one of whose objectives is to improve the management of canine and feline strays in France.
