Paris, March 14, 2026 – As the Paris municipal elections draw near, scheduled for March 15 and 22, 2026, the seven leading candidates for Mayor of Paris have presented their platforms concerning animal welfare. These proposals address various aspects of animal protection, management, and well-being within the city, reflecting a growing public interest in the cause.
Municipalities’ Role in Animal Welfare
Municipalities play a crucial role in animal welfare, particularly in the protection, management, and well-being of animals within their jurisdiction. Their actions include managing domestic and stray animals, overseeing animal shelters, caring for animals found in public, and preventing straying. They also collaborate with animal protection associations.
Mayors possess police powers to prevent mistreatment, regulate animal ownership conditions, and act in cases of reported danger or abuse. Animal welfare is also integrated into urban policies, with communes adapting public spaces for animals (e.g., dog parks, regulating park access), mitigating nuisances, and incorporating animal issues into urban planning and biodiversity management. Furthermore, municipalities conduct awareness and educational campaigns on responsible pet ownership, sterilization, abandonment, and respect for living beings. They coordinate with the state, veterinarians, and associations to protect local biodiversity and enforce national regulations.
Candidates’ Key Proposals on Animal Welfare
The following outlines the proposals from the 7 major candidates for Mayor of Paris, as of March 12, 2026. This article will be updated as new measures are announced.
Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons – Supported by Renaissance)
- Development of 3.3km riverside promenades along the Seine, featuring family areas, sports circuits, and dog parks.
Blandine Chauvel (NPA Révolutionnaires)
- No concrete proposals or explicit measures dedicated to animal welfare have been published on the candidate’s official website as of March 12, 2026.
Sophia Chikirou (La France Insoumise/Nouveau Paris Populaire)
- Strict enforcement of the animal welfare charter and annual public reporting on its implementation.
- Development of off-leash dog areas, respecting other users.
- Support for initiatives to end the captivity of wild animals in Paris.
- Promotion of plant-based diets in municipal food policy.
- Integration of biodiversity into all urban development projects through systematic animal corridors to facilitate the movement, protection, and coexistence of urban wildlife.
Rachida Dati (Les Républicains/MoDem/UDI)
- Authorization of leashed dog access to Parisian parks, with exceptions defined by arrondissement town halls.
- Creation of off-leash dog trails, including large parks, the banks of the Seine, and a local square per neighborhood, as well as specific pedestrian sections of the Seine banks during defined hours.
- Adherence to specifications for dog parks: double-security gates, grassy areas, agility courses, and shaded zones with fountains for hot weather.
- Distribution of veterinary vouchers via Maisons des Solidarités to precarious or homeless individuals, exclusively usable at partner veterinarians committed to moderated fees with the City of Paris.
- In case of owner hospitalization, creation of an individual card indicating the presence of an animal and an emergency contact. If no relative is identified, the City will organize a social concierge solution.
- Creation of columbariums for funerary urns to allow for the remembrance of deceased animals. Collaboration with Société Publique Locale – Funéraire de Paris to offer cremation services at cost price.
- Signing an agreement with the public prosecutor’s office to strengthen the protection of domestic animals, as animal cruelty is an early warning sign of other forms of domestic violence.
- Mandatory carrying of waste bags during walks, with possible checks by municipal police.
- Increase the fine for not picking up dog waste from €135 to €300.
Emmanuel Grégoire (PS – Parti socialiste, PCF, ecologists, Place publique, L’Après)
- Opening of parks to leashed dogs in certain areas, respecting the safety and comfort of all.
- Implementation of solidarity veterinary consultations at the Maison de l’Animal en Ville.
- Creation of a memorial garden, a place of remembrance.
- Implementation of a bird protection plan to systematically protect biodiversity and bird habitats, particularly during building renovations.
- Support for animal protection associations, key players in biodiversity preservation, especially through their monitoring and care actions for birds in the territory.
Sarah Knafo (Reconquête)
- Making all Parisian squares and green spaces accessible to leashed dogs.
- Excluding children’s play areas from this authorization.
- Initiating discussions with major taxi companies to improve service for clients traveling with pets.
Thierry Mariani (Rassemblement National – UDR)
- Development of genuine dog areas in all arrondissements/sectors: Creation of one or more new secure, fenced, vegetated, and equipped dog areas with benches in each arrondissement.
- Facilitating dog access to parks and gardens: Authorizing leashed dog access to more locations and green spaces. In certain suitable parks, implementing dedicated dog hours, allowing dogs to roam freely without disturbing other users.
- Making public transport truly accessible to dogs: Implementation of simpler and fairer regulations, adapted to realities, allowing dogs to travel with their owners under supervised conditions that are not an obstacle.
- Strengthening respect for traffic and coexistence rules: Increased awareness and control to ensure respect for dogs in public spaces. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians must consider their presence. Dogs are living beings; their safety must be fully integrated into safety, mobility, and road policies.
- Better equipping the city for dogs’ needs: Providing more water fountains adapted for dogs in streets, parks, and dog areas. Installation of waste bag dispensers in key locations to facilitate a clean and pleasant city for all.
Marielle Saulnier (Lutte Ouvrière)
- No concrete proposals or explicit measures dedicated to animal welfare have been published on the candidate’s official website as of March 12, 2026.
These diverse proposals highlight the candidates’ varying approaches to integrating animal welfare into urban policy, ranging from expanding access to public spaces for pets to implementing comprehensive biodiversity protection plans and strengthening measures against animal cruelty. Parisian voters will have the opportunity to consider these commitments when casting their ballots in the upcoming municipal elections.
