ROMANIA
Romanian Shelter Pushes Sterilisation As Alternative To Stray Dog Culls
Romania authorised the capture and euthanasia of stray dogs in 2013, but animal welfare groups estimate that around 500,000 dogs are still roaming freely.
The Smeura shelter is demonstrating an alternative. Eight veterinary vans travel to villages providing free sterilisation, with nearly 40,000 owned and stray dogs sterilised so far this year.
The organisation is proposing a five-year programme combining sterilisation with identification, registration and rabies vaccination.
INDIA
Goa Cuts Animal Birth Control Funding Despite Rise In Sterilisations
Goa has reportedly cut funding for its Animal Birth Control programme despite increasing numbers of dogs being sterilised.
The state recorded 13,074 sterilisations in 2023 and 14,324 in 2025, while funding for the programme has been reduced.
Animal welfare organisations have raised concerns that reduced funding could undermine efforts to control the roaming-dog population through sterilisation.
UNITED STATES
Georgia Shelter Euthanises 20 Dogs As Overcrowding Reaches Crisis Point
Twenty dogs were euthanised at the Columbus animal shelter in Georgia because of overcrowding.
The shelter said the dogs deserved homes and more time, but a lack of available kennel space forced the decision.
The deaths highlight continuing capacity pressure facing shelters where animal intake exceeds adoption, reclaim and transfer rates.
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales Opens $1.5 Million Animal Welfare Fund
Animal rescue and rehoming organisations in New South Wales can apply for a share of $1.5 million in government funding.
The Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant opened on 17 September and offers eligible organisations between $5,000 and $50,000.
Funding can support veterinary treatment, desexing, microchipping, vaccination, rehabilitation, rehoming and improvements to animal-care facilities. Applications close on 9 October.
AUSTRALIA
20 Animals Seized From Property Of Repeat Animal Welfare Offender
RSPCA Victoria seized 17 cats, two roosters and a horse from a property in Ararat on 16 September following a report of animal cruelty.
The organisation says the individual involved has been disqualified for life from owning or being responsible for more than five cats and that this is the fifth alleged breach of a court order.
RSPCA Victoria says more than 400 animals have been removed from the individual over the past decade. The latest case remains under investigation.
INDIA
Bengaluru Proposes New Rules For Pet And Rescue Dogs
Bengaluru’s five city corporations are preparing uniform pet-dog licensing rules that would introduce mandatory microchipping, neutering, vaccination and annual registration.
The proposals would generally limit households to three pet dogs depending on property size, while a separate provision would permit up to 10 rescued, injured or abandoned dogs.
Animal welfare advocates are seeking changes, including a separate foster licence so rescuers temporarily caring for dogs are not penalised by household limits. The proposals have not yet been gazetted.
End of Bulletin