At 414 million euros, local authorities in Germany collected more dog tax in 2022 than ever before. Compared to 2021, revenue increased by 3.3 percent. Meanwhile, many animal shelters that take care of lost and found animals on behalf of local authorities are at their limits and beyond. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, comments:
"Local authorities are benefiting from the increased number of dogs in German households. More dogs mean more income from dog tax, which flows into the big municipal pot. At the same time, however, more and more animals - especially problematic dogs - are ending up in animal shelters. Despite the record income from the dog tax, the animal shelters are usually left empty-handed and are treated like beggars at the town hall door. Although the animal shelters take in found animals on behalf of the local authorities and take on animals confiscated by the authorities, the costs incurred are still reimbursed at a loss.
For years, animal shelters have been misused by local authorities, the federal states and the federal government as a way of cleaning up state failures. However, anyone who collects 414 million euros in dog tax each year must not allow those who are committed to the lives of fellow creatures to beg for what they deserve financially. Animal shelters perform key animal welfare tasks for local authorities and districts. Local authorities must finally invest more money in animal welfare - this is also required by the state objective of animal welfare in the German constitution. We are calling for at least half of the national dog tax revenue to be earmarked for an animal shelter funding fund so that practical animal welfare does not collapse locally."
Note to editors: The German Animal Welfare Federation has proclaimed the motto "State goal of animal protection obligated!" for today's World Animal Day. Last week, the umbrella organization of animal shelters, together with representatives of state animal welfare associations and local animal welfare associations, demonstrated in front of the Chancellery in Berlin for more support for animal shelters.
