Funding for environmental activism remains unallocated, with future financing on the horizon - Animal welfare organizations persist in bearing costs, anticipating further financial allocations
In a significant turn of events, animal shelters in Saxony are set to receive substantially more financial support, as funding for animal protection increases by three times the previous amounts. This positive shift in the state budget reflects a stronger commitment to animal welfare in the region [1].
Initially, in 2023, two applications for animal shelter investments totaling around 77,000 euros were rejected, possibly due to budgetary priorities or administrative decisions that left these associations without the needed support [1]. However, the current situation has dramatically changed. The CDU-SPD minority coalition, the governing party in Saxony, has agreed to allocate 1.5 million euros each year for the next two years to animal shelters [2].
The increased funding will provide improved financial resources for these organisations to manage their operational costs and support animal protection activities. The decision to boost funding addresses earlier concerns about the financial burdens faced by animal rights activists and shelters, ensuring better care and more sustainable support for the animals in need [1].
Susanne Schaper, the Left Party faction leader from Dresden, announced these increases in funding during budget negotiations with the CDU-SPD minority coalition. She also inquired in the state parliament about the state's support for animal protection in the previous two years and the reasons for unsuccessful funding applications from associations [3].
In 2023, only 40,000 euros were available for animal feed and supplies for animal protection associations. The total funding for animal protection in 2024 was 908,000 euros, most of which went to material costs [4]. Despite the increase, Schaper stated that the funding amounts in 2024 were slightly higher than in 2023, but still far below the need [5].
An agreement was reached with the Greens and Left Party for an amendment totaling around 250 million euros in the state budget [6]. However, the distribution and use of the increased funding for animal protection have not been specified.
It is worth noting that in the last year, seven applications with a volume of over 220,000 euros for animal shelter investments were rejected [7]. The subsidies for investments of animal shelters in 2024 decreased by almost 18 percent compared to the previous year [8].
The positive change in the state budget for animal protection in Saxony demonstrates the enhanced support for animal protection initiatives in the region. This increased funding is expected to significantly improve the care and support provided to animals in need.
1) The increased employment policy, as evidenced by the tripled funding for animal protection, will allow community organizations to hire more staff and thereby strengthen their capacity to care for animals in need.
2) In light of the current commitment to animal welfare demonstrated by the finance allocated to animal shelters, it is crucial for employment policies to ensure that qualified personnel are available to manage these increased resources effectively, contributing positively to the business of animal protection and the broader category of general-news.
