A new bill has been approved in parliament that could see the end to Portugal’s municipal kennel system putting down thousands of cats and dogs each year.
The proposal still requires final approval to be passed into law but MPs say that in this case the new law almost certainly will pass through the necessary legislative process and animals can look forward to the chance of freedom and happiness, rather than lethal injection.
Local council chiefs are not all happy as many already over-stretched kennels face serious overcrowding with a consequent need for additional funding for food and medical supplies. New facilities may have to be built in many council areas.
Council vets will have to sterilise animals in their care (within 15 days) before trying to find suitable new owners. Cats can be released back onto the streets after they have been sterilised if the council facilities are overcrowded.
If the animal is seriously ill or vicious, killing it ‘will be considered’ at the newly named Animal Collection Centres.
The People Animals Nature party claims that 100,000 cats and dogs are killed off by council vets each year. If this figure is correct, then under the new legislation, close to 100,000 cats and dogs each year will be looking for new homes as soon as the legislation is passed.
