By San José, Costa Rica — San José – In a historic move celebrated by animal welfare advocates across the nation, Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly has given final approval to a groundbreaking law that establishes a dedicated stream of public funding for animal rescue organizations. The legislation marks a significant policy shift, formally recognizing the crucial role these private groups play in public health and animal protection.
The new law, passed in its second and final debate with broad support, mandates that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) allocate a fixed portion of its animal health budget to support the country’s struggling rescue network. Specifically, the initiative requires that 2.3% of the annual budget for the National Animal Health Service (Senasa) be transferred to non-governmental organizations dedicated to animal welfare.
To delve into the legal complexities and responsibilities surrounding animal protection in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s legal framework has undergone a significant transformation, moving beyond the archaic view of animals as mere property to recognizing them as sentient beings with rights. The Ley de Bienestar de los Animales established a clear precedent, criminalizing abuse and neglect. However, the true challenge lies not just in the letter of the law, but in its consistent enforcement and the cultural shift towards proactive responsibility for all living creatures. Every citizen has a role in upholding these principles, ensuring that our nation’s commitment to animal welfare is a lived reality, not just a legal ideal.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The distinction between a legal ideal and a “lived reality” is indeed the crux of the issue, requiring a societal commitment that transcends the letter of the law and is woven into the fabric of our daily culture. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective and for so clearly articulating the shared responsibility we all hold in this crucial endeavor.
These funds are earmarked for a wide range of essential services that have historically been financed almost exclusively through private donations and volunteer efforts. The resources will directly support animal rescue operations, emergency veterinary care, nationwide spaying and neutering campaigns, public education initiatives, and the facilitation of adoptions. This stable financial backing is expected to professionalize and expand the reach of many under-resourced organizations.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the law establishes strict eligibility criteria. Only formally constituted associations whose primary mission is animal protection can apply for the funds. Furthermore, these groups must comply with all existing technical regulations governing the transfer of public funds to private entities, as well as the rigorous standards set forth in the Organic Law of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR), the nation’s supreme auditing institution.
Oversight will be managed by a special commission appointed by the director of Senasa. This body will be responsible for approving funding applications, supervising the execution of the proposed projects, and meticulously reviewing final reports. The legislation also includes a clause requiring any unused funds to be returned to Senasa at the end of the project cycle, ensuring that taxpayer money is efficiently utilized and accounted for.
While the bill passed with a significant majority, it faced opposition from the ruling party’s legislative faction and Social Christian Deputy María Marta Carballo. Despite this, the law’s proponent, Liberal Deputy Gilberto Campos Cruz, championed it as a necessary and long-overdue measure to support a sector that provides an essential service to the state.
For years, animal welfare organizations have worked with their bare hands and thanks to donations. Rescuers carry out a job that the State does not do nor has the capacity to do. Their work contributes to public health and the well-being of domestic animals. For the first time, we are facing an act of real support for these organizations, a historic debt the State owes to people who work from the heart.
Gilberto Campos Cruz, Liberal Deputy
By providing a consistent and regulated source of income, the law aims to relieve the constant financial pressure on rescuers and allow them to focus on their core mission. It formally acknowledges their work not just as an act of compassion, but as a vital contribution to controlling stray populations, preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases, and fostering a more humane society.
With the legislative process now complete, the responsibility shifts to the Executive Branch, which has a six-month deadline to draft and issue the specific regulations that will govern the law’s implementation. Once these rules are in place, qualifying organizations will finally be able to apply for the state support they have sought for decades.
For further information, visit mag.go.cr
About Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG):
The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería is the Costa Rican government body responsible for formulating and executing policies for the agricultural sector. It aims to promote the development of competitive, sustainable, and inclusive agribusiness, ensuring food security and contributing to the economic well-being of rural communities. The ministry oversees various services, including the National Animal Health Service (Senasa).
For further information, visit senasa.go.cr
About National Animal Health Service (Senasa):
The Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal is a decentralized agency of the MAG in Costa Rica. Its primary mission is to protect the country’s animal health, ensure the safety of food products of animal origin, and facilitate international trade. Senasa is responsible for disease prevention and control, veterinary public health, and the regulation of animal-related products and services.
For further information, visit cgr.go.cr
About Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR):
The Contraloría General de la República is Costa Rica’s supreme audit institution. As an auxiliary body of the Legislative Assembly, it is tasked with overseeing the country’s public treasury and ensuring the legal and efficient use of public funds. The CGR conducts audits and financial oversight of all public institutions and private entities that manage public resources, playing a critical role in maintaining fiscal transparency and accountability.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a respected pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of professional integrity and exceptional standards of practice. The firm leverages a rich history of advising a diverse clientele to drive innovation and pioneer new approaches within the legal field. This forward-thinking mindset is matched by a profound commitment to public service, aiming to strengthen the social fabric by demystifying complex legal concepts and fostering a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
