I.Metshin on the issue of stray dogs: “We are interested in developing best practices, there is no such practice in Russia yet”

The development of amendments to the federal law “On Responsible Treatment of Animals”, the organization of a “dog census” in Kazan, the creation of a network of modern zoo centers in the city – these and other proposals were announced today by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin at the Saidash Cultural Center at a round table dedicated to the issue of homeless animals.

Amendments to the Federal Law will be prepared together with activists, shelter managers and veterinarians

The Mayor instructed to develop a draft amendment to the federal law “On Responsible Treatment of Animals”, which came into force in 2020. The law provides for the control, sterilization, vaccination and release of the dog to its former habitat.

Today, a subvention of 21 million rubles is allocated annually from the republican budget to control homeless animals in Kazan. The Housing and Utilities Committee holds open auctions for control, treatment and transportation of animals. This year, according to the results of online trading, contracts have been concluded with OOO Zoocenter. In 2021, 4,906 applications were received, 3,034 dogs were trapped.

Since July 2021, the hotline has been launched for accepting applications.

However, this work is not productive in solving the issue due to imperfect legislation.

“The principles of ethical treatment of animals have been introduced, but some issues of have not yet been worked out, the animal keeper’s liability is not stated.

The law does not solve the issue of unregulated activities of breeders, negligent attitude to animals of citizens. There is a lot of work to be done to solve these problems”, - explained Iskander Giniyatullin, Deputy head of the Executive Committee.

To determine which items to include in the law, the Mayor called on zoo activists, shelter managers, veterinarians and other specialists to work on amendments to the law.

A “dog census” will be held in Kazan

To determine the future scope of work, the head of the city instructed to conduct a “dog census” in Kazan. The rector of the Veterinary Academy, Rustam Ravilov, promised the methodology and assistance in its organization. According to the deputy head of the Executive Committee Iskander Giniyatullin, today there are about 10 thousand stray dogs in Kazan, but this number is not precisely determined.

Students of the Veterinary Academy will be engaged in working with homeless animals

The control of stray animals is facilitated by the sterilization of animals. In Kazan, since May, free sterilization and vaccination of animals is carried out in a mobile unit at the urban settlements.

The rector of the Veterinary Academy offered to conduct free surgeries for animals at clinical departments. In addition, Rustam Ravilov proposed to engage veterinary students to work in shelters for homeless dogs. The Mayor supported this idea.

On the territory of the Veterinary Academy a shelter for dogs can be developed– the rector of the university made such an initiative. “We will not be able to fully implement this on our own, only with the help of the city”, - Rustem Ravilov said.

“As for the creation of a shelter on the territory of the university, we will definitely participate. We will help in the construction, and we will create the conditions that the legislation requires”, - the Mayor said.

The activities of organizations working with homeless animals will become a priority

The activities of organizations dealing with the issue of homeless animals will be included in the priority direction of the municipal economy. “This will allow organizations to participate in city competitions, receive grants, preferential loans, premises on preferential lease terms and other exemptions”, - the Mayor explained.

In addition, the work of animal protection organizations will be allocated to separate activities of the Good Kazan project.

Animal rights activists appreciated the first stages of joint work.

“We are not just discussing these initiatives, but will implement them. We would like to have more animal centers, so we urge businessmen who want to start their own business to look at this direction”, - the head of the city added.