Respect for animals, both domestic and wild, is gaining ground in the city

Animal welfare ignites public debate and communities are no exception. “Rethinking the place of animals in the city is a necessity. On the one hand, so-called companion animals are very present in the city, on the other hand, certain wild species have become city-dwellers in spite of themselves, ”explains Marie-Françoise Hamard, municipal councilor responsible for animals in the city in Strasbourg (284,700 hab.).

Animals were recognized as “living beings endowed with sensitivity” in the civil code, in 2015. “France lags behind its European neighbors, however, significant progress can be made locally”, estimates Marie-Françoise Hamard . Like Strasbourg, many town halls are focusing on animal welfare and devoting a delegation to it. “It’s time to give animals their rightful place,” argues the elected official.

Stray cats

One in two French households say they own a pet ⁽¹⁾. In order to provide cleanliness bins and waste bags, municipalities can also reserve dedicated places for these animals. The city of Paris (2.2 million inhabitants) allows walking without a lead in …