Egypt
Launches National Sterilisation Campaign Amid Rising Debate Over Street Dogs
Egypt has announced a new national sterilisation campaign as part of its wider Rabies-Free Egypt 2030 strategy. The programme will focus on sterilisation, vaccination and the expansion of shelter capacity, with authorities arguing that a coordinated national approach is needed to reduce rabies risk and address growing public complaints about free-roaming dogs.
The development comes as Egypt continues to pursue a different path from some countries that have increasingly focused on large-scale removals. Officials and veterinary representatives have repeatedly emphasised vaccination and sterilisation as central tools in long-term population management, while acknowledging ongoing public concerns about dog bites and community safety.
The programme will be closely watched by animal welfare organisations as a test of whether large-scale sterilisation and vaccination can be implemented consistently across a country of more than 100 million people.
Morocco
Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Street Dog Killings Ahead Of The 2030 World Cup
International concern over Morocco’s treatment of street dogs continues to grow as campaigners accuse authorities of widespread culling ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Animal welfare groups have alleged that dogs are being poisoned, shot and removed from public areas in an effort to improve the country’s image before the tournament. Moroccan authorities have repeatedly denied that mass culling forms part of official policy, stating that the country supports sterilisation and vaccination programmes.
The dispute has become as much about transparency as animal welfare. Campaigners argue that evidence from multiple locations points to continuing killings, while officials insist that humane population management remains the official approach.
With international attention likely to increase as the tournament approaches, pressure is growing for independent monitoring and greater public transparency regarding how street dog populations are being managed.
Kazakhstan
New Animal Law Comes Into Force After Months Of Controversy
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has formally signed amendments to Kazakhstan’s animal welfare legislation following months of public debate and criticism from animal protection organisations.
Supporters argue the changes are necessary to address concerns about public safety and the management of stray animal populations. Critics, however, fear the amendments could lead to increased euthanasia and a retreat from the humane principles that underpinned previous reforms.
The legislation has triggered strong reactions from welfare advocates who argue that abandonment, irresponsible ownership and inadequate sterilisation programmes remain the primary drivers of stray animal populations.
With the law now enacted, attention is shifting away from the political debate and towards implementation. Animal welfare organisations are likely to monitor closely how local authorities interpret and apply the new powers available to them.
Pakistan
Landmark Court Victory Faces Its First Major Test
Pakistan’s animal welfare community is still celebrating the Islamabad High Court’s decision to permanently prohibit the killing of stray dogs within the capital.
The ruling directed authorities to pursue humane management measures, including waste control, vaccination and sterilisation, rather than culling. It was widely welcomed by animal welfare organisations as one of the most significant legal victories for street dogs in the country’s history.
However, the most important question may now be what happens next.
Pakistan continues to face intense public debate around dog bites and rabies prevention, with large bite statistics frequently cited in policy discussions. Animal welfare advocates argue that the success of the ruling will ultimately depend on whether authorities invest in sustainable population management rather than reverting to old practices under public pressure.
The coming months will reveal whether the judgment becomes a model for humane management or remains a legal victory that proves difficult to enforce in practice.
Turkey
Collection Numbers Raise New Questions About Transparency
Nearly a year after Turkey’s controversial street dog legislation triggered one of the largest dog collection programmes in the country’s history, questions continue to grow about what has happened to the animals removed from the streets.
Government figures indicate that hundreds of thousands of animals have been collected since the legislation came into force. Officials argue that the programme is necessary to address public safety concerns and improve management of street animal populations.
Animal welfare groups, however, continue to raise concerns about shelter capacity, welfare conditions and the absence of independently verified outcome data.
As more municipalities report collection figures, attention is increasingly shifting towards transparency. How many dogs remain in shelters? How many have been adopted? How many have died? And what independent mechanisms exist to verify official claims?
For many observers, the debate is no longer solely about collection policies. It is about whether the public can access reliable information about the fate of the animals entering the system.
El Salvador
Six Months After The Announcement, Where Are The Updates?
In October 2025, President Nayib Bukele announced an ambitious plan to address El Salvador’s stray dog and cat population through a humane national programme. The proposal attracted international attention after the government called for expert partners to help create what Bukele described as a potential model for Latin America.
The announcement generated significant optimism. It built on earlier animal welfare measures including stronger animal protection laws and the opening of a public veterinary hospital. International organisations and high-profile animal welfare figures expressed interest in supporting the initiative.
However, six months later, one question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore
Where are the public progress reports?
Large-scale national dog management programmes typically produce measurable outputs such as sterilisation numbers, vaccination figures, pilot projects, budget announcements, infrastructure updates or implementation timelines. Yet publicly available information remains heavily focused on the original announcement rather than documented outcomes.
This does not mean the programme has failed, or that work is not taking place behind the scenes. Planning, partnerships and funding arrangements can take time. But for a project presented as a potential regional model, the absence of regular public reporting is becoming notable.
The question facing observers is therefore not whether the vision was good. The question is whether the public will soon see evidence of implementation. Because six months after a major announcement, transparency starts to matter as much as ambition.
End Of Bulletin