Animal lovers demand funding for sterilisation in 2025 State Budget
A coalition of animal welfare groups and caretakers have launched a petition calling for the inclusion of dedicated funds in the 2025 State Budget for a nationwide animal sterilisation campaign.
The petition, which has been signed by nearly 7,000 people, also demands increased support for animal protection organisations, low-income families, and registered colony caretakers.
In the petition, the group argues that such funding is essential to address a worsening animal overpopulation crisis that has been exacerbated by the limited sterilisation measures currently in place.
The petition, directed to Parliament President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco and MPs, seeks a total allocation of €7.8 million: around €7 million is meant for the national sterilisation campaign, which the coalition says should be managed by the government in collaboration with municipalities, kennels and private veterinary clinics, and offer free sterilisations for both pet and stray animals, including registered cat colonies. The remaining €800,000 is to support animal protection associations with their own sterilisation and animal identification costs.
Advocates highlight the urgent need for effective implementation of Portugal’s 2016 animal welfare law, which includes measures for animal population control through sterilisation. They argue that the law’s goal has yet to be accomplished, pointing to the “explosive” increase in abandoned animals throughout 2024.
The petition also references the underutilisation of funds allocated for animal welfare in the 2024 budget. The €13.2 million set aside under Article 200, they claim, has yet to be disbursed. Without immediate action, the petitioners warn, much of this budget could remain unused by year’s end, leaving critical needs unmet.
“Animal protection associations, families in need and everyone who daily cares for animals trust that you will not fail us in this matter,” adds the petition, which can be signed online.
