Stray dogs in Europe -

Problems and solutions

TAIEX, Belgrade, 17 TAIEX, Belgrade, 17- -18 October, 2011 18 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, worlds 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 countrys 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 management
Where do they come from?
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17 TAIEX, Belgrade, 17- -18 October 2011 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
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17 TAIEX, Belgrade, 17- -18 October 2011 18 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 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
TAIEX, Belgrade 17 TAIEX, Belgrade 17- -18 October 2011 18 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 management
Trends in stray dogs in Europe
Remain constant
No strays
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Increased
Decreased
No information
Dog population management
Methods of stray dog control in Europe
Caught
Culled
Combination
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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
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
stray
dogs
2005/6 2006/7
Numbers strays
rehomed
Euthanised
Two approaches
No kill: Catch Neuter release
Advantages: No kill
Disadvantages: doesnt 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 dont 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 management
Where are the perceived challenges?
Social
Political
Legal
Economic
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Economic
Scientific
Environmental
Technological
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.
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17 TAIEX, Belgrade, 17- -18 October 2011 18 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