Thuringia: One million euros for Thuringian animal shelters

The increased construction and energy costs are also causing problems for animal shelters.

Thuringia: One million euros for Thuringian animal shelters

The increased construction and energy costs are also causing problems for animal shelters. Now a well-used support program for investments in the homes is to be relaunched. Hardship regulations are planned for facilities in need.

Erfurt (dpa/th) - The animal shelters in Thuringia can also count on funding for investments in the coming year. In the budget for 2023, another million euros in funding is planned, said Thuringia's Health Minister Heike Werner (left). The money can be used to invest in equipment or in renovation projects. "We know that there is a renovation backlog at animal shelters because there has been too little money for years," said Werner. She is therefore pleased that the amount of 500,000 euros provided for in the draft budget could be increased to one million euros in the negotiations before it was passed in the state parliament.

In 2022, too, a funding amount of one million euros was available for investments. "It was put to good use," said Werner. She pointed out that animal shelters across the country were suffering from increased construction costs. According to Werner, the facilities should also be able to call on money from the special fund to deal with the energy crisis should they get into trouble due to the sharp rise in energy costs.

Several animal shelters in the Free State had complained about a reduced willingness to donate in the autumn. In addition, everyday items have become more expensive, and since October a new fee regulation for veterinarians has caused additional expenses.

The State Animal Welfare Association also pointed to the great need of many animal shelters due to increased running costs, but also praised the investment program. There is an investment backlog in many animal shelters, and replacing a heating system, for example, also helps to reduce ongoing energy costs. "But the biggest challenge at the moment is to keep operations going," said Kevin Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of the State Animal Welfare Association.

Energy costs have exploded, "feed prices are also rising immensely, and veterinary costs have basically tripled," said Schmidt. A lot is coming together at the moment. Animal shelters could not pass on the increased costs to customers like a company. "They have no returns to offset against the rising costs."

Schmidt called on the municipalities to increase the flat rates for found animals. "This is urgently needed," he said. By taking in animals that have been found or confiscated and caring for them, animal shelters are taking on a communal task. They receive a flat rate from the respective municipality for this. Schmidt criticizes that this flat rate has not been raised in many municipalities for a very long time, in some regions it is 25 cents per inhabitant and year. In his estimation, however, 2 euros are necessary.