Companion animals
Our companion animals program is primarily focused on helping stray animals in developing countries. In the past, WSPA has also assisted with stray control management in First Nations communities in Canada. The plight of strays is one of the most visible animal welfare issues in the world today. Dogs are one of the most affected animals - of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, approximately 75 percent are strays. In many developed countries, the domestic cat population is now higher than the dog population.
Stray dogs and cats
© WSPA/Elly Hiby
Life on the streets is hard. Stray animals, frequently suffering from hunger and illness, seek food and shelter in human communities. They are often seen as a nuisance and a health hazard by the people who live alongside them.
With a lack of knowledge and resources, communities in developing countries frequently resort to randomly culling strays, by poisoning, electrocuting or shooting the animals. These methods are inhumane, causing the animals great pain and suffering. They are also ineffective in the long term as they do not address the root cause of the problem.
In many countries the majority of stray animals have been abandoned by their owners or are owned but allowed to roam freely. The unsupervised dogs then breed, resulting in unwanted puppies and over-population.
A better way
© WSPA
Our vision is a time when all companion animals are provided with proper care and there are no excess unwanted dogs and cats; in other words, a time when all companion animals are responsibly owned.
Each year WSPA's population management programs bring us closer to this vision by advocating humane ways of coping with stray animals. WSPA's work has shown that a humane and comprehensive approach - taking into account animal welfare and human responsibility - can be effective in managing stray populations.
Sustainable population management strategies include:
education about pet care
legislation, which is then enforced
identification and registration of pets
the neutering of stray and owned animals, and
vaccination.
Our goal is for all countries in the world to adopt humane, comprehensive dog and cat population management.
Support us
Some countries are starting to take a humane approach to their stray populations.
But millions of strays are in desperate need of protection. Your donation can make a difference.
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