Italy

Italy has a large network of animal protection associations, many of them run largely by volunteers. Under national law (Law 281 of 1991), stray dogs taken in by the authorities may not be put down unless they are seriously ill or dangerous, so local canili (dog shelters) and gattili (cat shelters), often managed by animal welfare associations on behalf of their comune, care for animals until they are adopted. Italian rescues also run sterilisation campaigns, take legal action in cruelty cases and campaign on wildlife and hunting law. Genuine Italian non-profits have a codice fiscale (tax code), and many are registered in the national register of third-sector organisations (RUNTS), which lets supporters in Italy give through the 5x1000 scheme and claim tax relief. Each Italian organisation listed on Real Rescues has been checked against its official website and independent sources before being added.