Brussels city centre dog owners can now avail of a €50 grant towards training sessions for their pet, as part of an initiative to help limit canine companions being abandoned over behavioural difficulties.
The City of Brussels is offering the €50 grant to resident dog owners (with address postcodes in 1000, 1020, 1120 and 1130), which can be put towards anything from basic dog training, to socialisation or addressing specific behavioural problems.
The scheme aims to help animals, their owners and the city as a whole to live better together. With 90,000 registered dogs in the Brussels region, it is estimated that around 7% of the population of Brussels owns a dog, with a "significant proportion" of them living in the City of Brussels.
The city centre authority has noted that since the pandemic, many Brussels residents have chosen to adopt an animal, and it is "essential" to ensure that pets, owners and other citizens can coexist in the city's streets, squares and parks.
Dog plays with a frisbee in Brussels park. Credit: Belga
"Whether pets or humans, education can often prevent problems before they arise. In our towns and parks, humans and canine companions need to learn to share space and respect our shared rules," said the City of Brussels in a press release.
The funds will also offer a welcome economic boost to those working in the dog training sector.
The grant offers €50 per dog, for up to three dogs per household, and each dog must attend a minimum of three sessions.
It will be delivered as a reimbursement, in whole or in part, for payments to a dog centre or group, or individual dog training sessions.
"Our dogs are often members of our family in their own right, so it's essential that we give them the care and attention they deserve," said Zoubida Jellab, Deputy Mayor for Animal Welfare.
"Working to educate our four-legged friends correctly not only helps us to avoid possible safety problems, but also and above all provides an opportunity to improve the well-being of our companions," she added.
More information about applying for the grant can be found here.
