Imola faces crisis following suspension of emergency veterinary services

One year after the suspension of public emergency veterinary services in the Imola district, local residents and animal welfare organizations are raising alarms regarding the lack of assistance for injured animals. The cessation of the '118 veterinary' service, which began in July 2025, has left a gap in emergency care outside of standard business hours.

ENPA Dozza has criticized the decision, stating that the lack of a rapid response system has caused significant harm to the territory. The organization claims that local municipalities lack the political will to invest in necessary coverage, effectively shifting the financial burden of animal emergencies onto individual citizens. While the service for recovering stray dogs remains active, the emergency medical assistance for domestic animals has been discontinued.

Recent incidents involving injured cats have highlighted the issue, as citizens have had to pay for private veterinary clinics out of pocket after finding no public recourse. In contrast, the metropolitan area of Bologna maintains an effective system through structured agreements between the municipality and surrounding areas.