Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Flemish Brabant has only 23 animal shelters currently, down from 28 in 2000. MP Katrien Houtmeyers urges action as rising pet abandonment worsens the crisis.
AS VRT News reported, Flemish Brabant has fewer animal shelters now than it did 20 years ago. In 2000, there were 28 shelters in the province. Now, only 23 remain. Some shelters, like the ones in Aarschot and Tielt-Winge, have shut down in recent years.
Officials mentioned that the problem is worse when compared to nearby provinces. East Flanders and Antwerp each have more than 50 shelters. Because of this, Flemish Brabant is falling behind in giving animals the care and safety they need. The lack of shelters makes it harder to look after animals properly.
What is causing the drop in animal shelters in Brabant?
MP Katrien Houtmeyers spoke out about the lack of animal shelters in Leuven, Flemish Brabant. She asked Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts for the latest numbers, which confirmed the problem. Houtmeyers said many people have known this issue for a long time.
Some shelters are so full and underfunded that they have no option but to deny new animals. He stated that the problem is now worse because more pets are being abandoned, especially during holidays or after people adopt them impulsively without doing proper homework. Houtmeyers warned that if nothing is done soon, the situation for animals in the province will only get worse.
“Anyone wanting to foster an animal from Leuven often has to go to Mechelen,”
says Houtmeyers.
“In Hageland, the help of the shelter in Sint-Truiden is needed.”
Flemish Parliament member Katrien Houtmeyers wants more animal shelters in Flemish Brabant. She says the shortage is a big problem, and animals need better care. Last year, she worked with 11 towns in East Brabant to start a new project. They planned to set up a centre for animal welfare.
They mentioned that it would teach people about animal care and also act as a shelter for stray or abandoned animals. The centre would be a safe place for animals and help local towns work together on animal issues. But so far, the plan has not moved forward.
Katrien Houtmeyers says it is time to bring the project back and make it real. She thinks that if they create a clear and strong plan, they can show it to Minister Ben Weyts. He might help pay for the project. But the minister also said the plan will only work if it starts with local support. It is up to the towns and local groups to begin the work. If it goes well, the new animal shelter could be built in the Hageland area or near Leuven, where it is most needed.
In recent years, many animal shelters in Flemish Brabant have closed due to financial struggles, lack of volunteers, and outdated infrastructure, leaving the province with fewer facilities to care for stray or abandoned animals.
