NOn a growing question, the well -being of the animals of affection and their families remains outside the priorities of public policies. These are the conclusions of Legambiente, in the aftermath of the presentation of the XIV National report “animals in the city”, on the performances of municipalities and ASL in the management of animals in urban centers.
The investigation evaluated the services offered by the municipal administrations in the pet-care sector: from home support to the bonuses and economic support, from pet-therapy tosimplified access to veterinary health services, Until civic education in schools and the counter for the protection of the person-animal binomial. And he detected serious structural delays and strong dysomogeneity between coastal municipalities and internal municipalities.
Animals in the city, insufficient services in 6 out of 10 municipalities: the Legambiente investigation
In 2024, on a sample of 734 municipal administrations (just 9.3% of Italian municipalities) which responded completely to the Legambiente questionnaire, only 39.5% (less than 4 out of 10 municipalities) obtained at least sufficient performance in the management of animals of affection. Of these 82 coastal municipalities (12.7% of the total in Italy) and 652 interiors (9% of the total) which, while sharing structural delays, They demonstrate divergent trends, with marked differences in the quality and availability of the services offered to citizens and their animals.
From free areas for dogs to animal pensions
The most evident dysomogeneity concerns access to free dogs for dogs. Present in 36.2% of coastal municipalities and just in 10.4% of the internal municipalities. Another difference is recorded for i pension services For animals, available in 57.3% of coastal municipalities and just 21.9% of the hinterland.
End of life management
In the management of the end of life of the animals of affection, however, only 28% of coastal municipalities and 10% of the interiors prepared Regulations for cremation, burial or inhumationleaving many families without reference points in a delicate moment.
Botti and fireworks
Another sensitive theme are barrels and fireworks, often a source of stress for four -legged friends. To adopt specific regulations To limit its use only 21.9% of coastal municipalities and just 8.3% of internal ones.
Still limited, then, the presence of animal branches or a guarantor for animal rights (8.5% in coastal municipalities and 4.4% for internal ones) and economic support to citizens in the sterilization of animals (only 14.6% of coastal ones and 4.7% of the internal ones).
Animal beaches
A serious delay of coastal municipalities consists of the adoption of a regulation for the correct use of the beaches by families with animals of affection, present only in 23.2% of cases.
Animals in the city, the Legambiente Prize for virtuous realities
Also this year Legambiente assigned The “Animals in the city” award to virtuous realities who have distinguished themselves for the offer of services and actions dedicated to the prevention of animal welfare. Among the rewarded municipal administrations, Naples which is distinguished by the health coverage and the integration between veterinary and socioassistential services. San Giovanni in Persiceto (Bo) who excels thanks to integrated services, strong civic activism and effective municipal ordinances. Modena For significant economic investment and complete urban regulation to protect animal welfare.
Among the municipalities under 5,000 inhabitants, awarded Slut (Mo) e Campodolcino (I know) for their investments in civic education and in social projects adapted to the rural and mountain context.
First goal according to Legambiente: public veterinary health of Vetterinary
Among the most important issues to work on, according to Giorgio Gampetti, director General Legambiente, The relaunch of the public veterinary health health care. «Objective for which we ask the government to create a national plan that allows the stable hiring of 6,000 veterinarians. And to the Regions the total achievement of 1,000 public veterinary structures distributed equally in the area in relation to the population served ».
Furthermore, to the municipal administrations the appeal is “enhance the green areas with free access dedicated to families with dogs. To enhance the application of regulations and ordinances and strengthen the civic sense thanks to the support of 10,000 environmental and zoophilic guards of the voluntary associations ».