One and a half million allocated for sterilization of stray dogs in Izmail

The Executive Committee of the Izmail City Council has approved the Program for regulating the number of stray animals in the city of Izmail for 2026.

This is reported by Intent with reference to the decision of the Executive Committee No. 7 of January 9.

The program provides funding from the city budget in the amount of UAH 1.5 million. The main spending unit is the Housing and Utilities Department of the Izmail City Council.

What does the program envisage?

In 2026, the main focus will be on humane regulation of the number of stray dogs based on the principle of catching - vaccination, sterilization - release. According to the law, this approach is considered to be the most effective and helps prevent the emergence of new flocks and reduce aggressive behavior.

The program plans to:

• sterilize, vaccinate and identify 500 stray dogs;
• revaccinate 800 animals vaccinated in previous years against rabies;
• continue to form and maintain an electronic register of stray animals;
• involve public associations and animal protection organizations in the implementation of the program on a contractual basis.

According to the city council, there are currently about 600 unsterilized stray dogs in Izmail. Some of them get into packs, which poses a potential threat to residents, including children.

The program pays special attention to rabies prevention, as this disease is deadly for both animals and humans. Experts emphasize that immunity after vaccination weakens over time, so annual revaccination is necessary.

The city has been implementing similar programs for several years in a row. Results of previous years:

• in 2021, 201 animals were sterilized and vaccinated as part of the charity project of the Four Paws organization;
• in 2022, Cotopes sterilized and vaccinated 155 animals;
• in 2023, the White Angel Charitable Foundation - 192 animals;
• in 2024, Cotopes - 800 animals;
• in 2025, the NGO "Help for Animals in Ukraine" - 600 animals.

Deputy Mayor Kateryna Tatarintseva will be responsible for overseeing the program's implementation in 2026. The city council emphasizes that the implementation of the program should improve the sanitary and epidemiological state of the city, increase the level of safety of residents and ensure humane treatment of animals even in wartime.

Антоніна Лубченко