Stray dogs in Europe Problems and solutions

Alexandra Hammond-Seaman
RSPCA International

TAIEX, Belgrade, 1717-18 October, 2011

Introduction to the RSPCA

Mission

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

kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals

Introduction to the RSPCA

Status

Founded in 1824, worlds oldest animal

welfare organisation

Concern for all animals

Charity, no government funding

Investigates and prosecutes breaches of
UK animal welfare law

Lobbies, campaigns and educates

Animal centres, hospitals, 1,650 staff

Introduction to the RSPCA

Science

30 scientific staff, 4 departments

Produce campaign reports, standards

Commission independent research

Advise government, sit on scientific panels

Introduction to the RSPCA

International programmes 1998-2010

Europe

East Asia

Southern
Africa

Introduction to the RSPCA

Approach to international work

Develop country-specific and regional knowledge

Understand where the countrys priorities lie

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

Improving
Poor and not improving

Dog population management

Where do they come from?

TAIEX, Belgrade, 1717-18 October 2011

Dog population management

Legislation 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
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

TAIEX, Belgrade, 1717-18 October 2011

Dog population management

Related 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
= 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

TAIEX, Belgrade 1717-18 October 2011

Dog population management

Trends in stray dogs in Europe

Remain constant
No strays
Increased
Decreased
No information

TAIEX, Belgrade 1717-18 October 2011

Dog population management

Methods of stray dog control in Europe

Caught
Culled
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.

TAIEX, Belgrade, 1717-18 October 2011

Unwanted animals taken in by the

RSPCA
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000

Taken in

150,000

Euthanised

100,000

Rehomed

50,000
0
1971

1981

1991

2001

2007

Trends in companion animals:

numbers stray dogs in UK

80000
70000
60000
stray 50000
40000
dogs 30000
20000
10000
0

Numbers strays
rehomed
Euthanised

2005/6

2006/7

Two approaches
No kill: Catch Neuter release

Allow euthanasia

Advantages: No kill

Shelter and adoption

Disadvantages: doesnt stop the

Advantages: teaches RPO, takes

problem, still have noise,

pollution; abandonement is illegal
under CofE
Welfare implications (cruelty,
malnourishment, RTAs)

animals off the streets

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

Bad news
Only 13 countries have legislation on who can own pets
9 countries dont enforce abandonement legislation
Most legislation not enforced properly
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
Focus on owned animals- stray dogs just a
symptom

Solutions

Assess problem: good data

Legislation and enforce legislation
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 management

Where are the perceived challenges?
Social
Political
Legal
Economic
Scientific
Environmental
Technological

TAIEX, Belgrade 1717-18 October 2011

Dog population management

The 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.
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.
TAIEX, Belgrade, 1717-18 October 2011

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, UNMIKKosovo, Montenegro, R. of Macedonia, Serbia,
Turkey
Institutions
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
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!
ahammond@rspca.org.uk