Stray dogs in Europe -

Problems and solutions

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October, 201118 October, 2011

Alexandra Hammond-Seaman

RSPCA International

Mission

Introduction to the RSPCA

‘The RSPCA will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote

kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals’

� Founded in 1824, world’s oldest animal

welfare organisation

�Concern for all animals

Status

Introduction to the RSPCA

�Charity, no government funding

� Investigates and prosecutes breaches of

UK animal welfare law

� Lobbies, campaigns and educates

�Animal centres, hospitals, 1,650 staff

�30 scientific staff, 4 departments

Science

Introduction to the RSPCA

�30 scientific staff, 4 departments

�Produce campaign reports, standards

�Commission independent research

�Advise government, sit on scientific panels

International programmes 1998-2010

Europe

East Asia

Introduction to the RSPCA

Southern

Africa

East Asia

� Develop country-specific and regional knowledge

� Understand where the country’s priorities lie

Introduction to the RSPCA

Approach to international work

� Seek out effective partners – government, academics, NGOs

� Demonstrate long-term commitment

� Deliver practical support – aid, training, advice

An overview of the problem

(overpopulation or not?)

Good

Poor and not improving

Good

Improving

Dog population managementWhere do they come from?

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

Dog population managementLegislation overview in Europe

87% have legislation that covers AW and the protection

of animals

70% of countries prohibit abandonment

50% restrict selling and breeding of dogs

42% had national legislation that specifically addresses

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

42% had national legislation that specifically addresses

pet ownership (dog control laws)

70% compulsory identification and licensing but report

little effect due to poor implementation in 48% and

little effect on stray dog numbers

Dog population managementRelated costs in EU MSs

France

17 million dogs and cats

1 million puppies sold per year

100.000 dogs abandoned each year

Only 530 shelters for 36.779 villages

TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

Only 530 shelters for 36.779 villages

= 70 villages per shelter

Cost Fondation BB 2 million

SPA 27 million

UK

14 million dogs and cats

100 rehoming centres

+70.000 abandoned animals

Cost shelters RSPCA 53 Million

Dog population managementTrends in stray dogs in Europe

Remain constant

No strays

TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

Increased

Decreased

No information

Dog population managementMethods of stray dog control in Europe

Caught

Culled

Combination

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

Combination

CNR

Not stated

In those countries that caught strays 10 (32%) euthanized animals at the end of the holding

period, 2 (6%) euthanized upon capture, and 3(10%) did not legally permit the euthanasia of

healthy dogs.

Unwanted animals taken in by the

RSPCA

250,000

300,000

350,000

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

1971 1981 1991 2001 2007

Taken in

Euthanised

Rehomed

Trends in companion animals:

numbers stray dogs in UK

70000

80000

0

1000020000

300004000050000

6000070000

stray

dogs

2005/6 2006/7

Numbers strays

rehomed

Euthanised

Two approaches

• No kill: Catch Neuter release

• Advantages: No kill

• Disadvantages: doesn’t stop the

problem, still have noise,

pollution; abandonement is illegal

• Allow euthanasia

• Shelter and adoption

• Advantages: teaches RPO, takes

animals off the streets

pollution; abandonement is illegal

under CofE

• Welfare implications (cruelty,

malnourishment, RTAs)

• Disadvantages: low adoption

rates, shelter overcrowding, poor

euthanasia and standards

Good news

• 87% of countries have legislation

• 70% of countries prohibit abandonment

• 50% restrict selling and breeding of dogs

• 61% of countries have laws on RPO• 61% of countries have laws on RPO

Bad news

• Only 13 countries have legislation on who can own pets

• 9 countries don’t enforce abandonement legislation

• Most legislation not enforced properly

• Poor state of shelters and catching• Poor state of shelters and catching

• No accurate data

How organisations can help

• Animal welfare organisations are working on

the ground so have experience and data

• Local authorities need to implement

• Veterinarians need to neuter and chip• Veterinarians need to neuter and chip

• Focus on owned animals- stray dogs just a

symptom

Solutions

• Assess problem: good data

• Legislation and enforce legislation

• Set standards: train catchers, shelter • Set standards: train catchers, shelter

personnel

• Set up stakeholder committee

• Undertake responsible pet ownership

work

Solutions 2

Responsible pet ownership

• Reduce supply of dogs: dog breeding, pet selling

• Abandonement made illegal

• Age of owning dogs

• Educate: standards on keeping

• Registration and identification

• Encourage neutering: work with vets

Future

• DPM framework developed at the EU level

• Pressure to implement humane methods increases

• Abandoning animals less tolerated

• Public become more educated

• Ngos become more relevant

Dog population managementWhere are the perceived challenges?

Social

Political

Legal

Economic

TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

Economic

Scientific

Environmental

Technological

Dog population managementThe policy and research needs

Investing in the initial assessment- this is a societal problem

so the focus needs to be on the community as much as on

the animals themselves.

Defining key outcome indicators to precede DPM

intervention and to measure impact.

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011

intervention and to measure impact.

Baseline data collection for cost benefit analysis to measure

effectiveness, economic sustainability and determine what

works while safeguarding the principles of good welfare.

Monitoring, evaluation and review to feed back into policy

making/refinement.

Developing specific indicators to address the multiple facets

of this issue.

Western Balkans

Veterinary Network

‘A unique platform for the advancement of animal welfare through research, education and

professional training.’

WBVN- Participants

Countries

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, UNMIK-

Kosovo, Montenegro, R. of Macedonia, Serbia,

Turkey

Institutions

State Veterinary Departments, Agricultural and State Veterinary Departments, Agricultural and

Veterinary faculties, Veterinary organisations, Meat

Industry, Farming associations, NGOs

External partners: FVE, TAIEX,

Bristol University-Department of farm animal

science, IRTA-Barcelona

Thank you for your attention.

ahammond@rspca.org.uk

www.rspca.org.uk

WBVN- Improving companion

animal management

The aim of the Network

is to contribute towards

the creation of a

humane, practical and

scientific approach to scientific approach to

stray animal control in

the region.

WBVN- Improving companion

animal management

The work of the WBVN Companion Animal

Coalition has three objectives:

Knowledge transfer

Scientific research

Capacity building

Thank you!Thank you!

ahammond@rspca.org.uk