New regulation for municipal shelter expenditures published in the Official Gazette

With the new communiqué published in the Official Gazette, the budget ratios that municipalities must allocate for animal shelters and the reimbursement conditions for excess expenditures have been clarified. Accordingly, municipalities will be able to recover up to 40 percent of the costs they incur above the mandatory expenditures from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

In line with the communiqué published by the General Directorate of Public Accounts, under the temporary Article 4 of the Animal Protection Law, metropolitan municipalities will be required to allocate at least 3 percent of their budgets, and other municipalities at least 5 percent, for animal shelters, rehabilitation efforts, and the care of stray animals.

PARTIAL SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED FOR EXCESS EXPENDITURES

Municipalities that spend above the determined budget ratios will be able to request a refund of up to 40 percent of the excess amount from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. However, this reimbursement cannot exceed 40 percent of the determined ratios. Municipalities will be required to submit their reimbursement requests using the calculation table included in the annex of the communiqué.

This new regulation aims to encourage municipalities to spend more on animal welfare while creating better living conditions for stray animals.