Animal shelter dogs in Guxhagen: application for tax exemption rejected!

Animal shelter dogs in Guxhagen: application for tax exemption rejected!

In Guxhagen, a recent meeting of community representatives caused excitement among dog lovers. The Free Voters had suggested permanently abolishing the dog tax for dogs adopted from animal shelters. But the motion was rejected by 24 votes to 3, while 2 members abstained. This is particularly important to consider against the background of a difficult time for animal shelters after the corona pandemic, in which many animals are looking for a new home. HNA reports that Frank Döring, the group leader of the GL-FWG, pointed out that animal shelter dogs can be exempt from tax for up to two years.

However, the dog tax of 60 euros per year is not seen as the main reason why many people hesitate to adopt a dog. Oliver Brandenstein from the SPD noted that 7,000 euros have already been earmarked in the budget for the Beuern animal shelter. Manfred Hollstein from the Greens praised the Free Voters' initiative as honorable, but wanted more time for discussion. In another perspective, Graefe viewed the rejection as a missed opportunity to make a statement in support of shelter dogs, making clear that two years is not enough time to seriously incentivize adoption.

Dogs and tax regulations

What many people don't know: Dogs from animal shelters are exempt from dog tax for one calendar year; if they were adopted after December 31, 2021, they are even tax-free for five years. Kitchen primer explains that guide dogs and other specially trained dogs also benefit from this regulation. The fact that our treatment of dogs is viewed as an expense tax brings with it an interesting discussion about the meaning and purpose of this tax. The income from the dog tax is used by the municipalities, which is not always transparent.

Another point is that different cities have different dog tax regulations. In Bremen, for example, owners of animal shelter dogs are exempt from tax for one year. In Berlin there is even a tax exemption of five years for dogs that were adopted after the date already mentioned. WMN states that higher taxes are often payable for dog breeds that are classified as dangerous.

The challenges of animal shelter placement

The situation in the animal shelters is still tense. The high admission numbers since the pandemic and the often inadequate financial support are putting constant pressure on the facilities. More and more dogs are waiting for a new home and the hope for a positive change in tax legislation remains.

Whether in Guxhagen or elsewhere, it is clear that the responsibility for our four-legged friends lies not only with the owners, but also with the community and political decision-makers. A sustainable solution could be permanent tax exemption for shelter dogs - a measure that could not only serve as an incentive for adoption, but also puts animal welfare at the forefront.