International companion animal work
There are around 500 million stray and unwanted dogs in the world and a similar number of stray and unwanted cats. Sadly, most live a miserable existence. Death from disease is never far away; many are also killed by cruel methods of stray control such as electrocution and poisoning.
Although the situation sounds very bleak, WSPA is working around the world to improve life for stray animals. These are just a few examples....
Sri Lanka
Neglected, suffering from disease and often feared by local people, the life of a Colombo stray dog is far from easy. In 2007 WSPA launched, in association with our member society the Blue Paw Trust, our biggest dog welfare project ever. This project will run for five years, resulting in the vaccination and sterilization of thousands of dogs, public education programs and high quality training for staff from the municipal dog pound. We expect to use the Colombo initiative as a model and training site for other Asian governments and organizations wishing to tackle the stray dog problem in their own countries.
Zanzibar
© WSPA
For many years the Zanzibari government tried to control its large stray dog and cat population through inhumane mass exterminations. WSPA’s work with the government to introduce humane methods of stray control resulted in the end of this large scale cruelty. Since January 2006, we have neutered more than 7,000 dogs and vaccinated nearly 13,000 against rabies. Our education materials are also available in more than 30 schools.
Colombia
Thousands of cats and dogs roam the streets of Cali in Colombia; most have owners, but nearly 30,000 are stray and unwanted. WSPA is working with our member society – Paraiso de la Mascota – in Colombia to fund responsible pet ownership education projects that so far have involved nearly 4,000 children. We are also providing affordable veterinary services through mobile clinics that vaccinate and neuter pet animals.
Brazil
There are nearly 150,000 stray and unwanted cats and dogs in Rio de Janeiro. Many roam the streets sick and injured. Others live in animal protection shelters and local authority pounds. In 2007, WSPA and our member society Defensores dos Animais, opened a new clinic to treat animals from one of the poorest areas of Rio. It also aims to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
Costa Rica
Until May last year, many people living in the Puntarenas province in Costa Rica were unable to afford veterinary treatment; they often left their sick and injured animals to die slow, lingering deaths. With WSPA’s help, member society the Asociación por el Rescate Animal Puntarenense, is operating a mobile clinic that visits the poorest areas in the province. As well as treating sick and injured animals the clinic neuters and vaccinates them too.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, and has one of the largest stray dog populations in Africa. We have worked in Sierra Leone since 1992, with our member society the Sierra Leone Animal Welfare Society (SLAWS), to help animals and people affected by the problem and have neutered thousands of dogs. With assistance from WSPA, SLAWS operates a mobile clinic to vaccinate and neuter animals and give other treatments to animals in distress.
Bali
In December 2008, in an attempt to stop the spread of rabies, authorities in Bali began poisoning dogs with strychnine, despite evidence that culling does not tackle the root causes of a rabies outbreak. It was reported that at least 20,000 dogs were killed with the poison, which causes instant paralysis, convulsions and a painful death.
WSPA has been working with our member society the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) and as part of the Bali Rabies Forum to end the cull, and instead roll out a rabies vaccination and education program, designed to protect Bali's dogs and people and hopefully eradicate rabies on the island.
As of June 2010, 42,500 dogs had been vaccinated, saving 65,000 from culling and protecting 390,000 people from rabies. Read the full story >>
Connect with WSPA on:
