Pets are full-fledged family members for many people. They offer companionship, structure, safety, and emotional support. For some people, therapy and assistance dogs also play an important role in their health and daily functioning.
Nevertheless, essential animal care remains financially out of reach for many families. Therapiedier vzw therefore advocates for a coherent policy in which animal welfare, accessible care, and human health reinforce one another.
1. Make the legal recognition concrete
Since 2020, Belgium has recognized animals in Article 3.39 of the Civil Code as sentient living beings with biological needs. Since 2024, the protection and welfare of animals as sentient beings have also been enshrined in the Constitution.
This recognition must now be translated into concrete consequences, including in matters of attachment, divorce, inheritance, domestic violence, and neglect. The interest and welfare of the animal must demonstrably be taken into account in this process.
2. Establish a social fund for animals and humans
Create a federal or regional support scheme for necessary veterinary care for people with a low income. The fund can cover basic costs such as vaccination, sterilization, identification, and urgent medical assistance.
To achieve this, collaborate with veterinarians, public social welfare centers, local governments, welfare organizations, and animal shelters. Preventive aid avoids more severe medical problems and reduces the number of animals surrendered for financial reasons.
3. Make social veterinary care possible
Develop, together with the veterinary sector, a voluntary charter or legal framework for social tariffs. Families entitled to an increased allowance would thus also gain easier access to necessary veterinary care.
Furthermore, investigate a reduction in the VAT on essential veterinary services from the current standard rate of 21 percent to 6 percent.
4. Develop an accessible pet care fund
Research a solidarity “animal health insurance fund”: a voluntary, affordable scheme where people pay a contribution per animal and receive a partial reimbursement for necessary medical procedures.
Existing mutual insurance companies, insurers, veterinarians, and welfare organizations can together develop a transparent model that also remains accessible to older animals and families with a limited income.
Give therapy and assistance dogs a fully-fledged place
Develop an official quality and recognition framework for therapy animals and animal-assisted interventions within healthcare, education, and welfare.
Provide, under clearly defined conditions, partial reimbursement for training, certification, food, and medical care. Encourage collaboration between specialized organizations such as Therapiedier vzw and Toscanzahoeve, health insurance funds, healthcare providers, schools, and social service agencies.
6. Invest in awareness and education
Start a broad campaign under the motto: “An animal is family, not a thing.”
Teach children and adults what responsible pet ownership entails. Focus on empathy, preventive care, education, lifelong responsibility, and the prevention of relinquishment.
From recognition to execution
A caring society protects not only animals, but also the people for whom an animal is a source of connection, stability, or therapeutic support.
Our goal is a policy in which humans and animals experience well-being together and in which necessary care is not a privilege.
Policy Proposal from Therapiedier vzw.
