Paris Municipal Elections 2026: Candidates’ Stances on Animal Welfare

Municipalities play a crucial role in addressing animal welfare issues, primarily focusing on the protection, management, and well-being of animals within their jurisdictions. Local authorities handle the management of both domestic and stray animals; they are responsible for animal shelters, caring for animals found in public spaces, and preventing animals from wandering. Additionally, they can support or operate shelters and collaborate with animal protection organizations.

Municipalities also hold responsibilities related to animal welfare. The mayor inherently possesses police authority to prevent cruelty, oversee living conditions for animals, regulate certain practices, and respond to dangers or reported abuse.

However, animal welfare also plays a role in urban policies. Municipalities can adapt public spaces for animals—such as designated dog areas and park regulations—to reduce nuisances and incorporate animal-related concerns into urban planning and biodiversity management. Additionally, local authorities can undertake awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, especially targeting residents and students, to promote responsible pet ownership, sterilization, prevention of abandonment, and respectful coexistence with living beings.

Ultimately, they work closely with the government, veterinarians, and various organizations, particularly in efforts to protect local biodiversity and enforce national regulations. In this way, municipalities serve as key local players in animal welfare, actively engaging in protection, regulation, prevention, and awareness initiatives—primarily at the community level and with a practical, hands-on approach.

Explore the platforms put forward by the seven leading candidates for Paris's mayoralty in their respective campaign programs as of March 12, 2026. This article will be updated as new policies are announced by the candidates.

• To be read
• 2026 Paris Municipal Elections: Candidate Program Proposals by Theme
• Municipal Elections 2026 in Paris: What are the candidates proposing on the environment, and where do they stand?
• Paris Municipal Elections 2026: Candidates’ Healthcare Proposals

Paris City Council Elections 2026: Candidates' Stances on Animal Welfare

Please note that these proposals are regularly updated as programs are announced and candidates are revealed. In some instances, specific measures have yet to be detailed in publicly available sources; such gaps are duly noted.

Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons – Backed by Renaissance)

• Transformation of the riverbanks into a 3.3 km promenade along the Seine, featuring family-friendly areas, sports routes, and dog parks.

Blandine Chauvel (NPA Revolutionaries)

As of March 12, 2026, there are still no concrete proposals or specific measures dedicated to animal welfare on the candidate's official website.

Sophia Chikirou (La France Insoumise/Nouveau Paris Populaire)

• Ensure the effective enforcement of the animal welfare charter and publish an annual public report on its implementation
• Create designated areas where dogs can be off-leash, while respecting other users
• Support initiatives aimed at ending the captivity of wild animals in Paris
• Encourage the inclusion of plant-based foods in the city's official food policy
• Integrate biodiversity into all urban planning projects by systematically incorporating wildlife corridors to facilitate movement, protection, and coexistence of urban fauna

(Source)

Rachida Dati (Les Républicains, MoDem, UDI)

• With the exception of specific zones designated by district councils, permit dog owners to walk their pets on leashes in Parisian parks.
• Establish designated trails where dogs can be off-leash, including a network that covers major parks, the quays along the Seine, and a local square in each neighborhood, as well as specific sections of the Seine quays reserved for pedestrians during set hours.
• Ensure compliance with standards for designated dog areas: security double-doors, grassy spaces, agility courses, and shaded zones equipped with fountains, especially during hot weather.
• Distribute veterinary vouchers through the Social Solidarity Centers to individuals experiencing financial hardship or homelessness, redeemable only at vetted veterinary clinics committed to fair pricing with the City of Paris.
• In the event of a pet owner’s hospitalization, create individual cards indicating the presence of an animal and listing an emergency contact. If no close contact can be identified, the city will organize a social concierge service to assist.
• To facilitate mourning after an animal’s passing, establish columbariums for urns. Collaborate with the Public Local Company - Paris Funeral Services to offer affordable cremation options.
• Sign an agreement with the district prosecutor’s office to strengthen protections for pets, recognizing that animal abuse can serve as an early warning sign of broader family violence.
• Mandate the carrying of poop bags during walks, with police or municipal officers authorized to conduct checks.
• Increase the fine for not cleaning up after a dog from €135 to €300.

(Source)

Emmanuel Grégoire (Socialist Party – PS, PCF, Green Parties, Place Publique, and L’Après)

• Opening designated leash-free areas in parks for dogs, ensuring safety and comfort for everyone.
• Introducing free veterinary consultation services at the City Animal Center.
• Establishing a memorial garden as a peaceful space for reflection.
• Implementing a bird protection plan to systematically safeguard biodiversity and avian habitats, especially during building renovations.
• Supporting animal rescue organizations, vital players in preserving biodiversity through their efforts in monitoring and caring for local birds.

(Source)

Sarah Knafo (Reconquête)

• Make all Parisian parks and green spaces accessible to leashed dogs. Children’s play areas are to remain an exception to this rule.
• Reach out to major taxi companies to improve services for clients traveling with pets.

(Source)

Thierry Mariani (National Rally - UDR)

Creating genuine dog-friendly areas in every district/sector:

• Establishment of one or more new secure, fenced, and landscaped dog areas in each district, complete with benches for owners to relax.

Making parks and gardens more accessible for dogs:

• Allow dogs on leashes to access more locations and green spaces.
• In some designated parks, implement specific hours for dog walking, giving dogs the freedom to roam without disturbing other visitors.

Making public transportation truly accessible for dogs:

• We will implement a simpler, fairer regulation that reflects real-world conditions, allowing dogs to travel with their owners in a managed framework that doesn't become an obstacle.

Strengthening adherence to traffic and community rules:

• Enhanced awareness campaigns and increased enforcement to ensure responsible dog ownership in public spaces. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are asked to be mindful of dogs’ presence.
• Dogs are full-fledged living beings; their safety must be a core consideration in safety, mobility, and city planning policies.

Improving City Facilities to Meet Dogs' Needs:

• Increase the number of water fountains accessible to both humans and dogs, placed throughout streets, parks, and designated dog areas.
• Install waste bag dispensers at key locations to encourage responsible pet cleanup, helping to keep the city clean and welcoming for everyone.

Marielle Saulnier (Lutte Ouvrière)

As of March 12, 2026, there are still no concrete proposals or measures explicitly dedicated to animal welfare on the candidate’s official website.

To help clarify the key issues concerning the management of Paris, we've put together a comprehensive overview organized by topic. You can find all these themes summarized below!

2026 Paris Municipal Elections: Candidate Program Proposals by Theme
The municipal elections are just around the corner, and you're eager to learn more about the candidates’ platforms for the Paris city hall? We've got you covered. Explore their proposals by theme—security, housing, environment, education, culture—and see where each candidate stands! [Read more]