1/2 Twan Spierings with dog Maté, who has just been adopted (Photo: Alice van der Plas)
About twice a month, animal ambulance staff in Helmond encounter a stray dog. It is clear to them: these dogs once had an owner. One of the reasons that people let their pets ‘run away’ is because they cannot afford the vet. The animal ambulance and the municipality now hope to put an end to this with a new arrangement.
According to Twan Spierings of the Animal Ambulance and Animal Shelter Foundation, the number of homeless animals in Helmond is increasing. In Helmond, there had already been a scheme in place for three years that people with a small budget could castrate or sterilize their dog or cat for free. About a hundred residents used it. The pot has now been increased to 52 thousand euros and people can also apply for assistance for other costs. That amount can amount to 300 euros per year.
“The knife cuts both ways,” says Spierings. “We hope to have as few street nests as possible, which incur costs. Last year, 400 kittens were born on the street in Helmond.” But more important is the social benefit of a broader scheme. “People find themselves in a difficult financial situation and are told: ‘you should get rid of your pet’.” According to Spierings, 9 out of 10 animals found on the street have a medical problem.
“People have a living allowance of 50 euros a week.”
Spierings hopes that more people can now keep their pets with them. “People often have a living allowance of 50 euros per week. If the cat gets sick, they can’t pay anything. People sometimes see no other way out than to let the animal run away. Arranging food is often possible for the owner, but for medical procedures you still have to go to the vet.”
Bad teeth, bad skin, long nails or an old fracture. Skittish and anxious behavior, but then very social and listening to commands. These are the characteristics of animals that once had an owner, but are now found neglected on the streets.
“Mandatory divorce is horrible.”
The reasons why animals lose their owners are often distressing. Spierings cannot bear to see elderly people who have to go to a nursing home being separated from their pets. “For example, for single elderly people with a state pension, a pet is all they have. You may know the image, the old lady with the dog on a leash. She then comes outside with the dog and has something to take care of.”
The animal ambulance also takes care of animals belonging to elderly people who need to go to a nursing home. “Compulsory separation is horrible,” says Spierings. “I am therefore in favor of allowing the animal to come along after a long period of time together.”
The more generous reimbursements are now only available in Helmond. The Animal Ambulance and the municipality got the idea from Amsterdam. The ambulance also drives around Laarbeek, Gemert-Bakel, Asten and Someren. Spierings hopes that these municipalities will also participate. “You see that in villages around us the attitude towards, for example, a stray cat is very different. In the city people immediately start calling. But the farmer in the village is not concerned about it.”
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