• Since October 1, a “certificate of commitment and knowledge” of the animal must in theory be approved by anyone wishing, for the first time, to acquire a four-legged companion.

  • An "excellent measure" for the SPA, even if its application will require a little time and organization.

There is Milka, the cute white kitten with her few black spots.

Or Donna, the brave little dog who knew the pound.

At the Bouguenais SPA refuge near Nantes, nearly a hundred pets are waiting for their new owners.

This weekend, on the occasion of the association's open days, a good number of them were able to go back to their new families.

“We made nine adoptions yesterday, and already four this morning, welcomes Florence Garcia, animal agent, this Sunday afternoon.

We are rather on a good pace!

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At a time when abandonments have again reached peaks this summer (6,600 animals are currently up for adoption via the SPA), a novelty will soon change the situation in the 1,200 shelters and various animal protection associations.

Officially entered into force on October 1, a "certificate of commitment and knowledge" of the animal will soon have to be systematically approved by anyone wishing, for the first time, to acquire a four-legged companion (cat, dog, ferret, rabbit).

It will be necessary to let a week pass between the signing of this document and the actual adoption of the animal, just to understand that "we buy a dog or a cat, and not an object", explains Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the president of the SPA, who applauds the implementation of this "excellent measure".

Plan ahead to avoid compulsive buying

On this document, the official model of which has not yet been unveiled by the Ministry of Agriculture (which explains the small discrepancy), the future adopter must commit to respecting the basic needs of the animal (food, outings, care, presence of the master or mode of care in case of absence or during the holidays…), but also to have him identified and sterilized.

“It is also recalled that having an animal requires a budget, continues Jacques-Charles Fombonne.

It is estimated at 1,000 euros per year for a dog as for a cat, an amount which can increase when the animal ages.

It is essential to plan ahead to avoid compulsive buying.

With this certificate, it becomes mandatory.

A forthcoming decree “will specify the sanctions”.

In the meantime, at the SPA (where the return rate is 4%), we have already been working and for a long time to make adoptions as reasonable as possible, in order to avoid abuse and abandonment.

In Bouguenais, if the certificate will very soon be signed in addition to the contract, the families who present themselves are in any case invited to fill out a questionnaire first, just to ask themselves "the right questions upstream" and to find the animal that will stick best to the home.

Lucie, a 45-year-old mother looking for a cat, seems for example to have a good file with her outdoor access which her first tomcat already enjoys, up to date with her vaccines and to whom she serves daily mash and croquettes.

"But we often refuse adoptions," says Florence Garcia.

Some people tell us that the animal will mostly stay locked up in the garage.

Others that they will be absent all day, which means that the rhythm of walks, essential for the dog, will be difficult to keep.

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But for Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the certificate of commitment does not only have advantages since it could "turn against us [the associations]".

“For some people who have a crush on an animal that suits them, the seven-day period will be difficult to implement, he fears.

We won't always be able to make reservations, with the risk that people won't come back in the end…” For the shelters, which are already saturated, we will therefore also have to review the organization.

“Setting up a system of rotations for the available boxes, already imagines Florence Garcia in Bouguenais.

Because as soon as an animal leaves, it is also a place which is freed up and which makes it possible to welcome another.

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Miscellaneous facts

Mulhouse: An abandoned animal the day after the puppy show

Company

Let's give up: "An animal is not a commodity", protests the president of the SPA

  • Company

  • Nantes

  • Pays de la Loire

  • Animals

  • Animal protection

  • Abandonment