In Odesa, 68 million planned for animal protection program

Odesa has updated its program for animal protection and regulation of the number of stray animals for 2022-2028 with a budget of UAH 68 million. The funds are to be spent on catching, sterilizing, vaccinating animals and operating a municipal environmental safety center.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Odesa City Council.

The Executive Committee of the Odesa City Council submitted proposals to the Odesa City Military Administration to amend the City Target Program for Wildlife Protection and Regulation of the Number of Stray Animals for 2022-2028. The program was approved in February 2022, but after the creation of the military administration, it became necessary to clarify the deadlines, performance indicators and funding.

The total amount of funding for the program is UAH 68 million 500 thousand, which is planned to be allocated from the budget of the Odesa city territorial community. The funds are provided for a set of measures to protect animals and regulate the number of stray animals:

• UAH 35.8 million - measures for catching, biosterilization, vaccination, revaccination and return of stray dogs to their previous places of residence, as well as ensuring the operation of the Municipal Environmental Safety Center;
• UAH 435.3 thousand - purchase of special work clothes for the trapping service employees;
• UAH 3.6 million - purchase of vehicles, equipment and facilities;
• UAH 1.56 million - purchase of animal feed, including for shelters;
• UAH 5.35 million - purchase of rabies vaccines and other medicines.
• UAH 1.36 million - maintenance of equipment and supplies for the veterinary station;
• UAH 1.89 million - purchase and maintenance of equipment and materials for catching animals;
• UAH 250 thousand - biosterilization and vaccination of stray cats;
• UAH 9.2 million - overhaul of the premises of the trapping service;

The updated proposals also provide for changes in the program passport, sections on financing and implementation mechanisms, as well as in the annexes on resource support and the list of activities.

In June, Odesa City Council members of the Standing Committee on Planning, Budget and Finance supported the allocation of UAH 3.5 million to repair the premises for the temporary detention of stray animals. The company that runs the shelter has already received half of the funds, and the rest will allow it to complete the repairs by the end of the year.

Анна Бальчінос