Animal Welfare NGOs Warn of Crisis as 2026 Budget Remains Unallocated
Animal welfare NGOs in Israel warn of financial collapse as the 2026 budget of 4.5 million NIS from the Ministry of Environmental Protection remains unallocated.
The annual budget allocated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection to animal welfare NGOs has not yet been distributed for 2026, sources told Globes. The funding amounts to approximately 4.5 million NIS, which is distributed among some 40 non-profit organizations through the Animal Welfare Fund operated by the ministry. Additionally, a call for proposals for financial support has not yet been published.
On August 24, representatives of 17 organizations and NGOs sent an urgent letter to Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman and Ministry Director-General Rami Rosen, with copies to Gali Davidson, head of the ministry's animal welfare division, and Tal Gilboa, the Prime Minister's advisor on animal welfare issues. According to the organizations, no response has been received so far.
The Impact on Rescue Operations
In their letter, the organizations wrote that the financial support constitutes a "central and vital pillar" in the activities of numerous NGOs engaged in rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, spaying and neutering, education, and emergency response. For NGOs that rely heavily on donations, they noted, these sums often determine whether they can continue operating essential services, maintaining facilities, and funding veterinary treatments.
Representatives pointed out that the fund receives monies from donations, fines, and transfers by the ministry. While eligible NGOs can receive support, the total budget remains capped at around 4.5 million NIS while more organizations join every year, meaning the funds are divided among a larger number of bodies.
"This budget is a critical part of the ability of dozens of animal welfare organizations to continue their activities," says Dr. Tamar Fredman, founder and CEO of the Israeli Primate Sanctuary. "The organizations cannot simply halt their operations when funding fails to arrive, and they continue to bear expenses daily."
Growing Pressures Amid Wartime Challenges
Elazar Pinkovitch, CEO of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Jerusalem, added that NGOs are forced to cope with immense pressure following three years of war, which led to the abandonment of many animals alongside a decline in the value of foreign currency donations and soaring food and medicine costs.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection did not provide a response to the inquiry. The Ministry of Finance stated: "The budgeting of the NGOs is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. There is no obstacle to allocating the budget, and it depends on the internal prioritization of the Ministry of Environmental Protection."
