The municipality of Groningen, together with Eindhoven and Almere, is in the race to be elected animal-friendly municipality of the year 2022.
According to organizer Stichting DierenLot, the nomination is partly due to ‘the special way in which the policy for animal welfare is composed’. For example, when this policy was drawn up, discussions were held with all relevant parties and the municipality informed them why something was or was not done with their suggestions.
According to Daniëlla van Gennep of the DierenLot Foundation, the influence of the Party for the Animals is clearly visible. “For the first time in the council, an alderman of this party has been appointed who is responsible for animal welfare and she has clear ambitions.”
animal ambulance
What is striking, according to Van Gennep, is that the animal ambulance has an exemption to drive on the bus lane and does not have to pay for a parking space. “Young ducks and hedgehogs are also taken into account when constructing and maintaining water features, so that they can safely clamber onto the shore. Nuisance from city pigeons, for example, will soon be tackled in an animal-friendly manner through contraceptive measures.”
It is the fourth time that the election for the animal-friendly municipality is held. Previous winners were Leeuwarden, Amsterdam and Zwolle. The initiators want to reward care for animal welfare and hope to inspire other municipalities. The nomination was preceded by an assessment against thirty criteria. Whether Groningen beats Eindhoven and Almere will become clear on 19 November.