Animal shelters in Flanders set records in 2023: never before have they taken so many animals into their care. Better news is that many more animals were also adopted. In total, shelters took in 49,377 animals last year and managed to have no fewer than 35,627 animals adopted.
Flanders has 182 recognised animal shelters, for all animals that have gotten lost, been neglected or abused. In recent years, the Flemish Government has focused on better support and this is paying off: compared to 2018, over 40% more shelter animals are now finding a warm new home.
"We have invested heavily in animal shelters in recent years: for the first time, there was structural financial support for our shelters and with adopteereendier.be, there was also a central approach for adoptions," said outgoing Flemish Minister for Animals Ben Weyts.
In five years (2018-2023), shelters have managed to take in 7% more animals and have over 40% more animals adopted. Shelters hosted many cats (27,677) last year, but also dogs (8,769), poultry (3,369) and rabbits (2,069).
Invaluable
"Our shelters and all their volunteers do fantastic and indispensable work. That is why we absolutely have to continue to focus on good support," he added.
In addition to a basic amount per shelter and an additional budget based on the number of animals, the Flemish Government also provides extra support to shelters that focus on adoption. Flanders has also created a central collection point with adopteereendier.be where all shelters can offer their animals for adoption.
"Shelters are invaluable for animal welfare," said Weyts. "It is also good that more and more Flemish people are finding their way to the shelter. You can find a friend for life there. I know that from experience, because my own animals also come from a shelter."
