In Nizhny Novgorod, it was proposed to reward in rubles those who adopt a dog from a shelter.

      14 October 2025 17:23 Society NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova

      In the Nizhny Novgorod Duma, it was proposed to pay city residents for animals taken from shelters. This initiative was put forward at the meeting of the Duma’s Ecology Commission on 14 October by deputy Vladimir Tarasov. This was reported by a correspondent of NIA "Nizhny Novgorod."

      According to the politician, instead of spending budget funds on capturing and housing animals in shelters, an alternative could be offered to residents — to conclude a social contract with a payment of 10,000 rubles on the condition that the person takes an animal from the street and undertakes to care for it.

      "We spend ten thousand rubles catching one dog. This way it will live in a home, not in a shelter. I think many will agree," Tarasov said, adding that he once picked up a mongrel from the street and it lived with him for many years.

      However, his colleagues expressed concerns that some people might take advantage of the payment and then abandon the animal. Tarasov acknowledged that such cases are possible. Still, he believes the idea is worth working on.

      Commission chair Irina Molkova suggested focusing on educational work and promoting the idea of "adopting" animals from shelters. In her view, it is important that Nizhny Novgorod residents develop a conscious desire to help, not act for material gain.

      Alexei Sidelnik, director of the Municipal State Institution "Committee for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Nizhny Novgorod," reminded that the main portion of funds allocated for capturing and housing animals goes to veterinary care. He also said that information about animals looking for homes is regularly published on websites ("Otlov NN", "Sostradanie" and others).

      In total, he said, in 2025 Nizhny Novgorod has been allocated 6.7 million rubles in subsidies for the capture and maintenance of animals without owners, Kstovo District — 1.3 million rubles, and another 498 thousand rubles will be added from the local budget.

      He added that measures for dealing with stray animals include capture, transportation, veterinary care, feeding and sheltering. Methods that exclude cruel treatment are used. Euthanasia is applied only for medical reasons, but in 2024–2025 no animal was put down.

      After completion of all procedures, the animals are returned to their natural environment. Aggressive individuals are an exception — they remain in shelters for life or until transferred to new owners. There are currently only four such animals.

      As of 1 October, 886 requests for capture had been received in Nizhny Novgorod. 354 animals were captured — 304 dogs and 50 cats. Budget execution for these purposes amounted to 3.9 million rubles, or 58%.

      Since the beginning of the year, 29 dogs and five cats have been placed in good homes. Thanks to the existing program, the number of animals subject to capture has decreased from 3,950 in 2018 to 471 planned for 2025. In 2018, 11.5 million rubles were directed to these purposes.

      It was previously reported that Nizhny Novgorod shelters would be reimbursed for rent and for providing assistance and veterinary care to animals without owners.

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