How the issue of homeless animals is solved in different countries of the world. Holland is the only country where there are no stray animals. Which country has no animals?

So, how do they do it?

In solving the problem of homeless animals, Western countries use the principle “you need to start with the person.”

Animals do not become homeless on their own. They acquire this status when they are lost or abandoned by their owners.

Therefore, there are quite strict legislative standards regulating the responsibilities of pet owners abroad.

Those who want to have a pet must pay a fairly high tax by Ukrainian standards.

For example, in Germany it is 150 euros for the first dog, 300 for the second. If the dog is a fighting dog, the tax is already 650 euros.

It is necessary to pay for compulsory insurance in case of attack.

Owners of fighting dogs must obtain a certificate of animal safety.
Animals must be microchipped or have tattoos to identify their owners.

In many countries, private owners are prohibited from breeding animals.

The need for vaccinations is not even discussed.

There is an extremely strict system of fines for rule violators. A citizen who throws an animal onto the street can be fined up to 25-30 thousand euros.

In Italy and France there is criminal liability for such an act.
The main method of controlling stray animals is the capture of individuals that are not accompanied by the owner at the time of capture. After this, the animal is placed in a shelter for a period of 3 to 60 days. The further fate of the four-legged animals varies in different countries. The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals allows euthanasia (III.12).

Only in three countries (Germany, Greece, Italy) is it prohibited to euthanize healthy, non-aggressive dogs after being caught. If the animal is unable to find its owner, in Germany and Italy it is taken into state custody, and in Greece it is released back.

In a number of European countries, an unadopted animal is euthanized after a certain period or immediately. Euthanasia is seen as a necessary measure because shelters must always be prepared for the arrival of new animals.

The largest animal protection organizations (World Society for the Protection of Animals, HSUS and PETA in the USA) believe that euthanizing an animal is more humane than abandoning it on the street and still dooming it to an early and cruel death.

Different countries have their own peculiarities in the treatment of stray domestic animals.

USA

In the United States, there is an “Animal Neutering Law”, according to which all animals with owners must be sterilized. Only show animals, police dogs and guide dogs are not sterilized. Failure to comply will subject the owner to a fine of up to $500.
A homeless animal may be euthanized. The annual number of individuals euthanized and placed in shelters is approximately the same.

Great Britain

The method of regulating the number of stray animals is trapping, which is carried out by authorized municipal specialists. After 5-7 days, the animals are transferred to conversion centers. Unclaimed stray animals may be euthanized. A wide network of shelters is run exclusively by animal welfare organizations.

Germany

An ideal place for dogs and cats. In the country, the owner’s responsibilities are strictly defined, down to the smallest household details (drinking and food containers should be washed daily, cats should be given special grass or an equivalent substitute, cats should be able to look out of the window). There is a profession - animal defender. But sick and aggressive stray animals are euthanized.

Sweden

Strict rules apply to pet owners. They cannot be left alone for more than five hours, so on weekdays Swedes have to take the dog to “kindergarten” or walk their four-legged friends themselves during the lunch break.
Pet regulations state that cats must receive their need for social contact, necessary grooming and health care. Illness, serious injury and aggression are reasons why stray animals are euthanized. But there are practically no such people. It is believed that the Swedes (as well as other representatives of Scandinavia) in principle do not understand how a dog can be homeless.

Switzerland

Those wishing to have an animal must attend a special course and receive a certificate. The country also provides a “standard” for living space for animals. It is prescribed what to do after a spouse’s divorce and how to divide animals. In 2010, the country held a referendum on whether pets should have the right to their own lawyer or not. But the innovation was supported by only 30% of the population. Sick and aggressive stray animals are euthanized.

Slovenia

There is legislation on shelters, the capture of homeless (stray) animals and the permanent identification of dogs. Legislation allows the euthanasia of healthy stray animals.

Greece

The “catch-sterilize-return” program is fully operational. Euthanasia for homeless animals is prohibited. After capture and sterilization, the four-legged animals return to the place where they were “detained.”

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova

The main measure to regulate the dog population is shooting. In these countries, the number of stray dogs remains unchanged or increases.

India

The authorities do not have a goal to get rid of stray animals completely, because in the country even those dogs that have owners live on the streets. The main purpose of catching is to combat rabies, and secondarily to stabilize the population.

Japan

In general, a respectful attitude towards dogs has been formed. Back in 1695, a decree was even issued prohibiting the killing of dogs under penalty of death. But he did not last long - until 1709. Homeless animals are placed in nurseries, and unclaimed animals are euthanized.

Thailand

The country has a registration program for dogs that must be microchipped. If an animal with a chip is found on the street, the owner faces a serious fine.
Thailand has introduced a ban on feeding street dogs that are brought to one of the northern provinces, where they are kept in a kennel.

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The “mustache, paws, tail” set would fit “and the owner” safely. For homeless animals, not having the latter is usually fraught with captivity or death. Although the problem has progressive solutions, up to the interactive map of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, where the standard of living of its charges is monitored. While some countries prohibit having a dog out of religious beliefs, and others tolerate their shooting, a third party places rights no less than human rights into the hands of four-legged animals. However, solutions may vary radically from region to region.

Irrevocable capture

UK, Germany, Israel, Spain, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, France, Czech Republic, South Africa, Japan

This is the name of the procedure when a homeless animal from an urban environment is placed in a private or municipal shelter: then it is not returned to the place of capture. After vaccination and a set period of holding, the animals go to new owners; if during this time the previous or new owners do not appear, the animals are painlessly euthanized (not without exceptions). This method is considered ethical by major animal protection organizations such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals, HSUS and PETA. They proceed from the rhetoric that euthanasia is more humane than returning to a hostile environment, where death will be, if not quicker, then more cruel. Often shelters, which cost about $100,000 a year to operate, accommodate about 200 “residents,” when dozens of newcomers are needed daily as vacancies.

In shelters, the ratio of homeless and abandoned animals is approximately 50 to 50. This explains the complex process that anyone who adopts a pet from a shelter finds himself in. The paperwork can be compared to adoption. However, such responsibility will make the owner think about how ready he is and whether he will later give up the one he has tamed.

An exception to “humanely euthanasia” shelters is limited-admission shelters. There is no need for euthanasia here, because the number of places is limited. Those of the mustachioed who have acquired such a place of residence can live happily ever after.

One of the largest and most famous shelters is the “Land of Stray Dogs” (“Territorio de Zaguates”) in Costa Rica. Hundreds of dogs scurry around their territory, clean, well-fed and examined by veterinarians, while people come to either play with them or make them part of the family.

The practice of shelters is enviably developed in the Czech Republic, where the police are involved in caring for homeless animals. If citizens see a lonely dog, they call the hotline, which activates the service for catching stray animals. When a four-legged animal ends up in a shelter, they look for a chip or tattoo that can be used to identify the owner. If there are none, photographs are posted on the city police website to find a new owner for the dog. And if this doesn’t work, the wanderer remains in the shelter, but there is no question of euthanasia. Even the city police have two budget shelters for stray animals, not to mention private organizations in the city.

OSV: capture - sterilization - return

Bangladesh, UK, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Southern Italy, locally - in Bulgaria and Greece

More like a cat story. Dogs in developed countries are more often dealt with in a catch-and-release mode. And stray cats, whose reproduction speed can rival budding, and the strength of their “colony” can rival that of a mafia family, need more attention to their reproduction. Therefore, sterilization was reasonably established in the chain between capture and return.

OSV is an addition to standard municipal trapping. This practice exists in relation to family groups of stray cats that live in some urban habitat. Such a group always has a guardian who monitors their health and number. The rest is taken care of by animal rights activists who, using charitable funds, simultaneously sterilize the females (sometimes depriving the males of the chance to have offspring), vaccinate them, sometimes give them marks and return them to their original place. After this, the number of homeless offspring should not increase. True, for sterilization to be effective, you need to get the hang of it: both to perform operations at the same time, and to prevent the cat’s “merger of clans”, unification with another family.

There are no homeless animals

The Netherlands is considered the only country in the world where there are no stray animals. They willingly share their experience and recommendations in the brochure “How Holland became free from stray dogs.” If we boil down the secret of success to a few theses, it brings together the best of international practice in the ethical treatment of animals. This includes the legal status of animals (including penalties for cruelty to them), and taxes on keeping pets, which force one to more seriously weigh the desire to have them, and mass sterilization of four-legged animals is mandatory: so that supply does not exceed demand.

Local methods

On the Greek island of Rhodes, there are “profiles” of dogs, next to which there are always full bowls, and on the sign itself there is a tray of bird food. This is a local initiative.

In Turkey, city streets are lined with feeders, and city parks are often cat territory, complete with animal houses and "Beware of Cats" signs. (at first the program included infrastructure for dogs, but cats outnumbered them). Local city halls are involved in the arrangement of such locations, and veterinarians monitor the health of the cats. Plus, you can take what you like home with you. There is a similar painting in Rome's Largo di Torre Argentina, which over the years has become better known as the "cat house" than as the site of Caesar's assassination.

Photo - Maria Gulina, stilinberlin.de, whudat.de, captiv8promos.com

Holland has long been known for its ambitious projects, which from time to time make the whole world freeze in admiration.

We are in Bright Side We believe that all states should follow the example of this country. At least in these 7 achievements.

1. This is the only country in the world where there are no homeless animals

It was recently officially confirmed that there are no abandoned cats and dogs left in Holland. The country's authorities have achieved this without causing them any harm at all: they have given animals their own rights and are quite serious in punishing people who abuse or abandon their pets.

2. Bicycle paths and highways with solar panels appeared for the first time in Holland

The project, called SolaRoad, was a joint effort between government, private industry and universities. The first part of the path was opened in 2015. Its length is no more than 100 meters, and this is already a huge breakthrough in the construction of roads of the future. The idea is that the solar energy generated by the road is used to light streets and recharge mechanical and electric vehicles.

3. Electric vehicle charging stations are located every 50 meters

One of Holland's greatest strengths is sustainable mobility. Therefore, in an attempt to finally abandon automobile fuel, the country’s authorities have installed electric stations everywhere, which are vital for citizens using new generation cars.

4. There is a city in Holland where no one uses cars.

The Dutch town of Houten has been recognized as the safest place in the world. In the early 1980s, the city's 4,000 residents made a strategic decision to encourage citizens to use bicycles, gradually discouraging them from driving a car for any reason. So imperceptibly, almost all residents of the town, cycling became a habit.

5. The country's authorities are introducing a gradual ban on the use of fuel cars

In just 9 years, by 2025, the Dutch government plans to completely ban cars with diesel and gasoline engines in the country. In addition, the Netherlands has abolished the tax on personal vehicles using alternative fuel sources, making these cars cheaper by 15,000 euros.

6. Prisons in the country are being closed due to lack of prisoners.

In Holland, careful work has long been carried out to reduce the crime rate, which brings successful results to the state. Since 2009, 19 prisons have been closed in the Netherlands due to a lack of prisoners. According to the latest data, there are only 163 criminals per 100,000 inhabitants in the country, which is half the figure in Brazil.

7. In Holland there are eco-ducts - special bridges for animals living in the forest

Another of the primary tasks of the Dutch authorities is the protection of wild animals. In order for animals to cross highways without threatening their own lives, several special bridges were built in the country that allow forest inhabitants to safely move from one part of the forest to another.

India, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Greece, Thailand, Indonesia,
Egypt, USA, UK, Southern Italy, Russia

About ten years ago in India, the “Catch-sterilize-return” method was proposed: females are caught, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, given some kind of mark and returned back to the same street. For countries with warm climates, the main threat from stray dogs is not bites at all, but primarily rabies. Previously, this problem was solved by shooting and baiting in areas of the disease. But the number of dogs grew very quickly.

Moreover, in India, the authorities do not have a goal to get rid of stray animals completely: there, even those dogs that have owners live on the streets. The main goal of the SALT is to combat rabies, and only then to stabilize the population. In developed countries, the situation is exactly the opposite, so the practice of SALT in Italy, the USA and Russia is rather experimental.

IN All homeless animals in these countries are descendants of pets abandoned to their fate. Dogs that have undergone SALT will not be able to give birth to puppies, but this does not save them from hunger, cold, disease and other hardships. In addition, if you do not have time to sterilize 70-80% of the total number of females within six months, then the number of stray dogs will not decrease. This procedure is considered one of the most expensive and time-consuming, but with a competent approach and generous funding it can give good results without casualties among dogs. However, in Europe there is a different opinion on this matter: veterinarians believe that after sterilization, females become more aggressive.

2. Taxes

Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, Norway

The problem needs to be solved from the person - this is what they think in many European countries where taxes on keeping dogs have been introduced. For example, in Germany, to get a dog, you need to pay a tax of 150 euros for the first dog, 300 for the second. If the dog is a fighting dog, the tax is already 650 euros. In Sweden and Norway, the tax amount depends on the size of the dog itself. Mandatory insurance in case of attack is added to this amount. Owners of fighting dogs must obtain a certificate of animal safety.

When registering ownership of a dog, it is assigned a number, the owner must engrave it on the collar or tattoo it on the ear. Many animals are given a chip costing 30 euros with information about the owner.

However, the tax amount is significantly reduced if the owner sterilizes his dog. In this way, it is possible to prevent the reproduction of abandoned dogs and eliminate the main cause of the problem - the human factor. Such serious methods do not allow owners to simply throw their dogs out onto the city streets and force them to take a more responsible approach to the decision to get a pet.

3. Shelters

USA, UK, France, Germany, South Africa

Stray dogs are caught and placed in shelters, where they wait for new owners, and if none are found within a certain period, they are painlessly euthanized. Euthanasia is seen as a necessary measure, since shelters must always be prepared for the arrival of new animals. The largest animal protection organizations (World Society for the Protection of Animals, HSUS and PETA in the USA) believe that euthanizing an animal is more humane than abandoning it on the street and dooming it to an early and cruel death.

However, there are limited-admission shelters owned by organizations that do not euthanize healthy animals. Here the animals live out their lives in peace, without disturbing anyone. Shelters stop accepting animals if there is no space available.

Shelters can help when the number of dogs on the streets is not in the hundreds of thousands. In addition, the shelter costs about $100,000 a year to operate, and each shelter can accommodate no more than 200 dogs. As statistics have shown, a little more than half of the dogs kept in shelters were caught on the streets, the rest were surrendered there by owners who, for some reason, no longer needed the animals.

In many countries, adopting a dog from a shelter is quite difficult: as in the case of foster children, you need to fill out a special 40-item application form and complete many formalities. This is done to ensure that people take a responsible approach to bringing an animal into their home and are aware of all the troubles that are associated with it.

4. Fines

Germany, UK, USA, Italy

Another effective and fair method, when punishment is borne not by animals, but by their careless owners. Throwing an animal onto the street is a strict administrative violation, punishable by a fine of 25 thousand euros. In Italy, in this case, criminal liability is provided and up to a year in prison. Unsupervised walking is also prohibited when the dog can cause harm to passers-by. For owners of fighting dogs, special fines are provided for violation of walking and maintenance - up to 50 thousand euros. In addition, in Europe the breeding of dogs by private individuals is strictly prohibited.

5. Shooting

Russia, Belarus, Ukraine

The fastest, most inexpensive and most monstrous way to combat stray dogs is their mass destruction. In most developed countries, the killing of healthy dogs that do not harm people has long been prohibited. In Russia, the shooting of dogs was banned in 1999, but unauthorized killings of animals still occur. Hundreds of dogs are caught and destroyed without any investigation. Typically, a surge in animal killings occurs after attacks on humans or outbreaks of rabies.

6. Elimination of food supply

The dogs will live on the city streets as long as they can find food for themselves. Therefore, one of the methods of combating stray animals is exterminating rats, fencing garbage containers and landfills with fences, properly organizing food markets and trading tents, and also, of course, working with the population so that they do not feed them.

Text: Inga Shepeleva