Tax incentives, greater support for animal-based organisations & businesses – Pres. Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the government will provide greater resources to support animal welfare organisations.

He also said over the next five years, the government will implement incentives including reductions and removal of taxes on veterinary hospitals, clinics and animal shelters to encourage more professional care and community engagement in the protection of animals.

“Businesses, corporations providing these services would also be excluded from corporate tax,” he added.

The President made the announcements on Thursday during an address to the nation, where he outlined the government’s social and economic development plan for the next five years.

He emphasised that “we must also extend the circle of compassion to the creatures with whom we share this planet, animals…it is our collective responsibility to reduce incidents of their ill treatment.”

President Ali said the government, in collaboration with animal rights organisations, will also be conducting a nationwide campaign to identify risks, threats and areas where urgent and immediate actions are needed, when it comes to animal welfare.

Over the years, President Ali and his administration have been placing great focus on animal welfare, largely supported by his son, Zayd, raising significant funds for animal shelters through annual lemonade sales.

This year, Zayd raised a total of $9.1 million, of which $1 million each was donated to eight animal organisations. Additionally, he sponsored the spaying and neutering of 100 animals at Animal Kingdom. Each organisation was given one bag of rice, two bags of dog food, and three bags of cat food.

The organisations that benefitted were Hope for Animals, Tails of Hope, Rosewood Foundation, Ravina’s Rescue, Paws for Cause, Pawsome Oasis Inc., Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Furball, and Friends Foundation Inc.

Recently, a 64-year-old resident of Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, was arrested for animal cruelty after a video surfaced on social media showing a donkey being forced to walk behind a moving vehicle.