Debrecen4U
March 3, 2026
Debrecen Launches New Animal Welfare Programme
The details of the programme implemented with a gross HUF 10 million in government funding from the “Közös ügyünk az állatvédelem” Foundation were presented at a press conference on 2 March 2026 by Deputy Mayor Diána Széles and Municipal Councillor and Animal Welfare Officer Edina Szilágyi.
As Diána Széles explained, the Municipality of Debrecen is implementing this animal welfare programme with the support of the Government of Hungary. The initiative essentially comprises free dog vaccinations, neutering and microchipping. These activities provide significant assistance to residents of the Biczó István-kert and Pac districts in practising responsible pet ownership. Edina Szilágyi, Municipal Councillor and Animal Welfare Officer, once again plays a major role in this work, having for many years promoted awareness among the citizens of Debrecen regarding responsible animal care. According to Diána Széles, Debrecen’s “Caring City” programme is not only about people, but also about caring for animals.
The Biczó István-kert and Pac districts have been selected as the target areas of the current programme because experience shows that there is a particularly high number of stray domestic animals in these neighbourhoods, and their numbers must be reduced. This is so even though the dog control facility operated by the Debrecen Public Space Supervision Authority and the animal shelters run by civil organisations—regularly supported by the municipality and deserving of great appreciation—strive, often under difficult circumstances, to care for these animals. The situation can only be addressed through broad social cooperation, which makes the gross HUF 10 million grant from the “Közös ügyünk az állatvédelem” Foundation especially important. Within the framework of the grant, the municipality is organising the vaccination, neutering and microchipping campaign with the assistance of the Ferenc Bodolai “Add a mancsod” Foundation. The foundation’s staff contact residents whose dogs require treatment. Vaccination, neutering and microchipping cost on average HUF 60,000 to 70,000 per animal, depending on size. For those participating in the programme, these costs are currently covered by the municipality from the grant funding, representing substantial support for the families concerned—including Bettina Csóri and her family in Biczó István-kert in respect of their dogs Rocky and Lucy. The programme benefits the residents of Biczó István-kert and Pac, the civil organisations assisting them in responsible pet ownership, the city as a whole, and not least the animals concerned.
According to Edina Szilágyi, Municipal Councillor and Animal Welfare Officer, the gross HUF 10 million grant covers not only the vaccination, neutering and microchipping campaign, but also the organisation of an animal welfare family day and awareness-raising events. One of the objectives is to bring the topic of animal protection closer to families and children through public events. At the end of March, a family day will be held at the Sziget-kék Playground, and, in cooperation with Zoo Debrecen, an educational programme will also be launched. Edina Szilágyi reaffirmed that tangible results in the field of animal welfare can only be achieved through cooperation and joint efforts between the municipality, civil organisations and the city’s residents. She emphasised that the current initiative represents the first truly major joint undertaking between the municipality and Debrecen’s animal welfare organisations. Work is already under way to launch an even larger vaccination, neutering and microchipping programme covering the entire city. Further news on this will be available within a few weeks.
Szabolcs Komolay, Municipal Councillor representing the districts currently involved in the programme, was also present at the event. He quoted a saying attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” According to the councillor, the programme provides significant assistance in enabling local residents to act as responsible pet owners, as many cannot afford to pay several hundred thousand forints for such procedures when they own multiple animals. As Szabolcs Komolay stated, he is confident that many residents will take advantage of the opportunity within the limits of the available funding. He encouraged those living in the area to join the programme and make use of the service—particularly as there is no need to transport their dogs anywhere, since the organisers collect the animals, carry out the procedures and return them home. He expressed hope that, thanks to this programme, significantly fewer stray animals will be seen in these districts in the coming period.
Edina Szilágyi added that once the current programme’s resources are exhausted, further funding will be sought. Dogs that may not be included in the present vaccination, neutering and microchipping campaign will be registered and prioritised in the next phase.
For many years, the Municipality of Debrecen has been firmly committed to promoting animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. In recent years, numerous successful programmes have been implemented in cooperation with local animal welfare organisations, professionals and civil communities. In order to address the issue of stray animals more effectively, promote the culture of responsible pet ownership and improve animals’ quality of life, the municipality submitted individual applications on two occasions to the “Közös ügyünk az állatvédelem” Foundation for the implementation of animal welfare programmes.
The foundation approved both applications with 100% funding intensity and awarded the municipality non-repayable grants of gross HUF 19,798,284 in 2024 and gross HUF 9,999,980 in 2026.
IN 2024, TWO DOG EXERCISE AREAS WERE ESTABLISHED USING A NON-REPAYABLE GRANT OF GROSS HUF 19,798,284
In 2024, two dog exercise areas fully compliant with the relevant legislation and regulations were constructed in the Wesselényi residential estate and the Újkert district.
At the approximately 1,600-square-metre dog exercise area on Wesselényi Street and the 1,087-square-metre facility on Lehel Street, separate areas were created to enable conflict-free exercise for dogs of different needs and temperaments: one agility course area and one free-running area at each site. In both locations, an 80-centimetre-wide pavement was constructed, two benches were installed, and dog waste bins and drinking fountains were placed near the entrances.
FROM MARCH UNTIL THE END OF APRIL 2026, ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED USING A NON-REPAYABLE GRANT OF GROSS HUF 9,999,980.
VACCINATION, NEUTERING AND MICROCHIPPING CAMPAIGN
One of the fundamental pillars of animal welfare is the implementation of vaccination, neutering and microchipping programmes. The aim of these initiatives is to reduce the number of stray animals, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and promote responsible pet ownership.
With funding from the grant, the municipality will implement a free vaccination, neutering and microchipping programme between 2 March and 31 March 2026 for a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 75 owned female dogs in the Debrecen-Pac and Biczó István-kert areas.
The programme is being carried out in cooperation with NET VET Ltd. and the local animal welfare association, the Ferenc Bodolai “Add a mancsod” Foundation. Based on an existing database, they will personally contact dog owners in need, inform them of the free vaccination, neutering and microchipping opportunity, and carry out the procedures according to a schedule.
Should the funding permit, the procedures will also be performed for additional owned female dogs in need.
Microchipping: Microchipping is not only a legal obligation but also one of the most important tools for ensuring animal safety. With the aid of a microchip, lost animals can be quickly returned to their owners, thereby reducing the number entering shelters. The City of Debrecen, in cooperation with animal welfare organisations, has already organised several microchipping campaigns; however, further initiatives are necessary to ensure that every dog and cat receives this essential identification.
Vaccination and neutering programmes: Neutering is crucial in reducing the number of stray animals, while vaccination programmes prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as rabies.
The City of Debrecen is proud of its excellent cooperation with local animal welfare associations. These organisations not only provide professional support but also actively participate in the implementation of all animal welfare initiatives.
THE NEXT ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME: THE ORGANISATION OF THE “TOGETHER FOR ANIMALS – ANIMAL WELFARE FAMILY DAY” EVENT AND THE LAUNCH OF THE “RESPONSIBLY FOR ANIMALS” EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS-RAISING PROGRAMME.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
