Paws and Policy: Morocco Sets a New Leash on Stray Dog Care

Morocco introduced an ambitious set of policies to improve the care and treatment of its estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million stray dogs, seeking a balance between public safety and animal welfare that is humane. Central to the effort is the increased "Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return" (TVNR) program started in 2019, which spays or neuters, vaccinates, and marks stray dogs before sending them back onto the streets. The government invested approximately $23 million in five years, with a flagship center in Rabat and due to open additional centers in at least 14 cities.

 

A bill draft is also in the pipeline to require pet vaccination and punish animal abuse, aligning Morocco with international animal welfare practice. While some communities bond with strays as a group, others continue to be concerned with security and rabies, with over 100,000 people needing rabies jabs after attacks annually. These humane initiatives are cited by authorities as Morocco competes to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

 

Source: The Independent, Arab News