Stray Control Methods in Estonia Special Seminar on Dogs & Cats Tallinn, Estonia, May 17 – 18th 2007 Louisa Tasker Companion Animals Unit World Society for the Protection of Animals 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP louisatasker@wspa.org.uk Thank you for inviting me to talk to you today at your seminar to discuss the control of stray dogs and cats Europe wide.

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Non Government Organisation Headquarters in London Offices around the world (13) Consultancy status with Council of Europe and United Nations Work in conjunction with WHO – humane stray control Before I start I should tell you that I am part of a much larger global animal welfare organisation Our headquarters are based in London, UK but we have 13 offices worldwide: UK, Tanzania, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA. We have consultancy status with the European commission and World Health Organisation.

Animal Champions I wanted to finish by just telling you about our member society network – because I believe that this is what sets WSPA apart from other organisations – We believe that in order to bring about real and consistent change in animal welfare globally you have to build capacity and basically animal welfare champions in country. We now have 700 member societies in 143 countries across the world

WSPA’s vision and mission Our Vision A world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends Our Mission To build a united global animal welfare movement

Our work… Companion Animals Farm Animal Welfare Libearty Wildlife WhaleWatch Member Societies Education Universal Declaration Disaster Management We work on several different animal issues - farm animals, etc. We also have departments that deal with the more generic methods of improving animal welfare: Member societies – will talk a lot about – what they are. Education specialists. Excitement about Universal Declaration Disaster management – prepare and relief.

Working Around The World © WSPA © WSPA Working Around The World All the dots represent a comp animal project or campaign – so as you can see we do a lot of work on companion animals, all over the globe and developing world focused. Overwhelming work with stray animals – as this is a truly global issue STRAY CONTROL WORKING EQUINES RPO COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION

Stray control Stray dogs and cats may experience poor welfare: Lack of veterinary care Malnutrition Disease Injury Inhumane control Stray dogs - are a global problem. Where ever you have people you have dogs. Several thousands of years of evolution, mostly controlled by use through selective breeding, has produced an animal that finds living with and among man a very viable option. There are an estimated 600 million dogs in the world of which 80% are thought to be stray – seems very high, but this does include owned dogs that are left to roam freely on public property. What differs between countries is the extent of the problems they cause, the methods by which their populations are controlled and the main welfare problems they suffer.

Stray control Problems associated with stray animals Zoonotic disease Direct physical injury (bites and scratches) Environmental contamination Damage to property Nuisance factors Problems associated with stray dogs: Environmental pollution Zoonotic disease Bites and conflict with humans Nuisance factors; noise, road traffic accidents, damage to property Predate livestock Stray management – is important for public health and safety For animal welfarists – achieved in a humane manners and leads to the improvement in the welfare if the dog population

Stray control Effective, humane stray control Important for public health and safety Animal welfare Stray management – is important for public health and safety For animal welfarists – achieved in a humane manners and leads to the improvement in the welfare if the dog population

A survey of stray dog & cat control practices across Europe Jointly funded and commissioned by: World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) & Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (RSPCA)

Survey of stray dog and cat control - Europe Aim Document methods used to control stray dogs and cats in Europe Objectives Update RSPCA International Survey – 1999 Identify countries that have been successful at stray control Identify what approaches have been successful

Questionnaire We used a questionnaire to gain information from animal welfare groups working in Europe The diagram shows the types of information that we requested from groups – all of which we felt were important factors that contributed to the control of stray dogs and cats.

Questionnaire distribution & responses WSPA Member Societies RSPCA International Associate Organizations Responses received from 32 groups Provided information from 30 European countries on stray dog and cat control Questionnaire was distributed by email to 72 animal welfare groups working in 40 European Countries Each group was asked questions relating to stray dog and cat control in their country We received replies from 32 groups working in 30 European countries

Survey results Considerable variation amongst European countries in effectiveness of stray control practices

Legislation Legislation relating to companion animals – stray control factors % Countries Animal welfare legislation: 26 (87%) of the countries surveyed - animal welfare, protection of animals, prohibiting animal cruelty 3 countries (Belarus, Bulgaria, and Spain) - at the municipal level only 1 country (Bosnia-Herzegovina) only addressed in veterinary legislation 3 countries Albania, Armenia and Azerbaijan Republic had no specific legislation designed to safeguard animal welfare animal welfare. Pet Ownership: 10 (34%) countries - legislation that specifically addressed pet ownership i.e. who could own a pet current regulations stipulated the age at which a person or persons could be considered responsible for an animal. Switzerland - exception from early 2007 all dog owners will be required to undertake practical and theoretical courses in responsible dog ownership including dog training and behaviour. Pet care: 60% (N=18), legislation relating to pets, outlined requirements for their care and husbandry: 8 countries -vague and poorly, if ever enforced in, 8 countries countries, specific details of owner responsibilities and animal needs were outlined. 4 countries are improving/updating their legislation, being more explicit in outlining the husbandry needs of pets, these include the UK (Animal Welfare Act 2006, comes into effect in 2007), Switzerland (Animal Protection Ordinance to be updated in 2007/2008), Serbia (Animal Welfare Law being read in the National Assembly) and Estonia (Animal Protection Act, supplemental decrees being reviewed in parliament) Breeding and selling: 50% countries- restrictions in the breeding and selling of dogs and cats in their national legislation - exclusively related to commercial practices, unless certain breeds of dogs were considered to be dangerous. 14 (48%) countries – sale of pets prohibited in certain locations such as at markets and in the street. Some through pet shops, for instance; Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, UK and Switzerland. Abandonment: 70% (N=21) countries - abandoning pets was illegal. 9 member societies reported that this was hardly ever enforced in their countries, they included; Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Moldova, Portugal and the Ukraine. stray animals and collection; 24, (80%) countries – stray animal regulations – not all included stray collection Dangerous dogs: 22 countries that have legislation relating to dangerous or aggressive dogs 11 have prohibited breeds list, including; Belgium, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Poland Legislation

Dogs licensing & registration 4 (14%) countries no schemes in place 7 (24%) had voluntary schemes in place 19 (63%) countries it is compulsory for dogs to either be licensed or registered Ineffective in helping to reduce stray numbers when not enforced in 12 countries It is important to note that, in countries where registration and licensing was rigorously enforced, this was considered an essential element in their successful stray dog control practices. Therefore compulsory registration without a commitment to effective enforcement is unlikely to result in owners complying with the regulations. Microchip – move to this as a permanent means of id – often combined with a more visible form of identification such as collar and tag 3 countries legal requirement; Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, (Norway, Finland) Implanted Microchip (73%) Tattoo (50%) Both methods used with a collar and tag

Dog population trends Trends in owned dog population over 5 years No country centrally monitored its national owned dog population or demographics by regular census Estimates provided by Kennel clubs (pedigree dogs only) and pet food manufacturers Estimate of trends in dog numbers over the last five years: 53% Reported an increase in owned dog numbers 7% (2 countries) reported a decrease 27% (8 countries) reported constant numbers – those with high stray numbers and those with no strays 13% could not provide estimates

Stray dog population trends Trends in stray dog population over 5 years Only 4 countries could report estimates for stray dog numbers in their country; UK, Poland, Portugal, Ukraine 30% (9) reported that they had no stray dogs Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden 40% remained constant 7% Decreasing Ireland, United Kingdom 23% increasing (Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Moldova, Poland and Serbia), N=17: 57%- reported no change It should be noted that no change in stray numbers was reported by those countries unsuccessful (Azerbaijan Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine) at controlling stray dogs SOURCE OF STRAY DOGS 90% of respondents reported that the source of stray dogs were from the owned population: Owned allowed to roam Lost No longer wanted and dumped Truly feral – never owned dogs were only cited in 2 countries to be the source of the problem.

Methods of stray dog control Culled – 21 % of countries – All reported that stray numbers continued to increase Catch Neuter Release – 3% of countries - Increased “dumping” Catch Neuter Release in combination with other methods – 17% of countries - Problems reported Catch Hold, Rehome or Euthanatise – 70 % of countries Dogs were culled in 21% countries These countries typically had increasing stray numbers, no effective animal protection or dog control legislation and they often had no holding facilities; pounds or shelters CNR was exclusively undertaken in 1 country Greece, problematic as dogs could not be re-released in some areas because of residents objections, could not always identify adequate guardians, in some areas where it was perceived to be successful it “ encouraged” dumping of dogs in areas where “owners knew they were going to be looked after” CNR in combination with catch and rehome: problems associated with CnR Majority of countries caught stray dogs and held for statutory holding period – varied from 3 – 60 days All of the countries that were successful operated this approach.

Cat population trends Trends in owned cat population in 5 years No country centrally monitored cat populations or demographcs Groups found it difficult to provide estimates of the numbers of cats – only 50% were able to Difficult to report trends in cat numbers: 60 % of countries reported an increase 23% remained the same/constant No one reported a decrease in numbers 17% could not even provide information on trends

Stray cat population trends Unable to provide estimates None reported a decrease Source of stray cats – Difficult for groups to identify No countries reported that they were successful in tackling stray cat numbers Most countries could not even begin to estimate the number of stray cats in their countries, let alone what the trends might be. Stray cat numbers were never monitored.

Methods of stray cat control Culled – 21 % of countries Catch Neuter Release – 7% of countries - Problems Catch Neuter Release in combination with other methods – 33% of countries - Problems reported Catch Hold, Rehome or Euthanatise – 20 % of countries Cats were culled in 23% countries CNR was exclusively undertaken in 2 countries Belgium and Greece, problematic: could not be re-released in some areas because of residents objections, could not always identify adequate guardians 33% (10) Majority CNR in combination with catch and rehome: 20% (6) did not practise CnR

Subsidized neutering 60 % of countries - reduced cost or free Schemes operated by: Animal welfare organizations Municipalities Often not available nationwide Schemes often restricted to people on low incomes, with large numbers of pets, in specific locations or at certain times of the year

Responsible pet ownership education 63% - education programmes targeted at owners - Animal welfare organisations Only 6 groups monitored the effects that an educational campaign had on owners: - Reported a change in owner attitude - A reduction in stray numbers in those locations

Countries successful at control Enacted and enforced legislation: Animal welfare, animal cruelty, abandonment and neglect Pet trade – markets, puppy farms or mills, pet shops and commercial breeders – often supplemented by codes of practice Both the breeding and selling of animals is regulated Compulsory registration often supplemented with a licensing or taxation system – can be used as an incentive for neutering or keeping low numbers of dogs Specified and compulsory permanent identification Dog control, leash laws, dog prohibited public areas Designated procedure for collection and management of strays Includes regulation and inspection of animal shelters

Cooperation Government and municipalities take the lead: Good cooperation between Police Environmental departments (dog wardens or environmental health officers) Animal welfare inspectors Non Government Organizations (Animal welfare groups) Veterinary authorities and department of animal health General public

Holding facilities Strays are collected Most owners are easily identified 80 – 100% dogs are re-united Owners may be required to pay a penalty or fine if their dog is collected Short-term and long-term holding facilities or fostering networks for rehoming – regulated and inspected to ensure high animal welfare standards Rehomed dogs are neutered, identified and vaccinated Network of shelters, animal welfare organisations and foster homes that can take in animals no longer wanted by their owners – therefore don’t just release them on the streets

Owner education Good, well established, responsible pet ownership programmes – same educational message is given through veterinary practices, animal welfare organizations, kennel clubs, animal welfare inspectors and municipal workers (dog wardens or environmental health officers) Nationwide

Neutering Not all countries that were successful at stray control advocated neutering of pets or offered subsidized neutering schemes. Pet reproduction was diligently controlled through responsible pet ownership and good dog control. Control unwanted reproduction of pets through education, neutering, enforced laws to prevent free-roaming or loose dogs, requiring breeders to be licensed and to control the sale and supply of pets by commercials practices.

Conclusions for successful stray control Coordinated, multifaceted and holistic approach to control Underpinned by effective and enforced legislation Involvement and cooperation with stakeholders Successful European countries demonstrated a commitment to a holistic coordinated progressive approach to stray dog control: Includes controlling the source of the problem – the owned dog population through legislation and owner education – requires a change in human behaviour

Acknowledgments Meeli Laane Senior specialist Tallinna Environment Department

Acknowledgements 32 groups that participated in the survey WSPA & RSPCA International for commissioning, funding and supporting the project