April 1, 2026, 2:35 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

Millions of Animals Without Homes Worldwide

On the occasion of World Stray Day on April 4, the animal welfare organization Humane World for Animals published a list of what they consider the five best and five worst countries for stray dogs. An estimated 362 million homeless dogs and cats live worldwide, including about 143 million street dogs.

For many of these animals, daily life is marked by hunger, disease, and violence. They are poisoned, shot, or confined in poorly equipped facilities. In parts of Asia, they also end up in the dog meat trade after being stolen from the streets or even from homes.

According to Susan Wolters of Humane World for Animals, the list is not based on a rigid evaluation system but on years of experience: “In addition to our own work on the ground, we are part of global alliances, giving us comprehensive insight into the situation in many countries.” There is no formal point system. Instead, insights from practical work and international partnerships contribute to the evaluation.

Countries With Particularly Poor Conditions for Street Dogs

In some countries, the situation for street dogs has recently worsened significantly or remains critical:

Turkey: From Model to Problem Case

Turkey was long considered a leader in the humane treatment of stray dogs. However, a law from 2024 marks a drastic shift: About four million dogs are to be captured and housed in shelters. In practice, this often ends in euthanasia for many animals, as the facilities are completely overwhelmed. There is massive public opposition to the law, and it could still be overturned politically. For the animals, the situation remains uncertain for now.

Morocco: Killings for a “Clean” Image

In the run-up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Morocco is once again resorting to large-scale culling operations. The goal is to “clean” the streets of dogs. Such measures have been used before previous major events—despite international criticism. The actions are considered short-term, ineffective, and particularly cruel.

China: Millions of Dogs in Illegal Trade

China is the center of the world’s largest dog meat trade. An estimated ten million dogs are captured or stolen annually—including pets—and transported over long distances to be killed. Even though the consumption of dog meat is declining among the population, the animals remain defenseless against criminal networks.

Pakistan: Poison Instead of Sustainable Solutions

In Pakistan, the overpopulation of street dogs is often combated with mass killings—especially through poison. This occurs mainly in large cities like Karachi in connection with rabies control. Although there are political commitments to focus more on vaccination programs, killings remain widespread in practice. Reports indicate that even already vaccinated dogs are killed.

Egypt: Violence With Uncertain Change

Street dogs in Egypt live under particularly harsh conditions. They are regularly killed by authorities using poison like strychnine, or they are shot. At the same time, many people on the ground care for and feed the animals. The government has announced a 180-day campaign focusing on neutering and vaccinations to eliminate rabies by 2030. However, whether this will lead to a permanent strategy change is unclear.

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Positive Examples: Where Street Dogs Are Better Protected

Some countries show that a different approach is possible—with long-term and animal welfare-friendly strategies:

India: Progress With Uncertain Future

India has been considered a pioneer for years with the “Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return” approach, which involves catching, neutering, vaccinating, and releasing. More and more cities are adopting this method, which is considered effective and animal-friendly. However, a Supreme Court decision is pending that could jeopardize this approach. If overturned, mass captures and poor conditions in overcrowded facilities could return.

Wolters explains why India is still rated positively: “India has been a global leader in sustainable population management of street dogs for many years.” While current developments are viewed with concern, existing progress should not be ignored.

Mexico: Animal Welfare Becomes a State Goal

With a constitutional reform in 2024, Mexico enshrined animal welfare as a fundamental value. This allows for stricter laws and even mandates animal welfare education in schools. Nationwide vaccination and neutering programs are also underway, leading to a significant decline in rabies. While many dogs still suffer from neglect, communities actively care for the animals in many places—the overall development is considered clearly positive.

Here, too, direction plays a crucial role: “In Mexico, there have been significant advances in legislation and practice. While much remains to be done, it is important to recognize when authorities are seriously moving in the right direction,” Wolters told PETBOOK.

Netherlands: Success Model Without Street Dogs

The Netherlands is one of the few countries worldwide where there are practically no street dogs anymore. This was made possible through decades of consistent policy: mandatory registration and microchip identification, high fines of up to 16,000 euros for abandoning animals, large-scale neutering programs, and adoption campaigns. Additionally, taxes increase the cost of buying dogs, while shelters are rarely overcrowded.

Bhutan: Population Neutered and Vaccinated

The small kingdom of Bhutan demonstrates how effective long-term strategies can be. In collaboration with Humane World for Animals, a nationwide program was implemented over 14 years. The result: nearly all free-roaming dogs are neutered and vaccinated. More than 150,000 animals were recorded, and tens of thousands of pets were registered and chipped—a globally unique success.

Thailand: Compassion as a Social Principle

Thailand focuses on integration rather than exclusion. Street dogs are tolerated, fed, and medically cared for in many places—also influenced by the Buddhist principle of “Metta” (loving-kindness). Temples often serve as safe havens for animals. At the same time, authorities and organizations invest in vaccination and neutering programs. In many regions, rabies transmitted by dogs to humans has already been eliminated.

“Compassion Is the Most Effective Way”

Kellye Pinkleton, Vice President of Companion Animals at Humane World for Animals, also emphasizes: “The life for dogs and cats on the street varies from culture to culture.” Often, free-roaming dogs and cats are actually owned animals or are fed by people in the community. “Whether pets, community-cared-for animals, or strays, they can all suffer from cruelty. Countries with the best or improving results are those that have rejected killing for population control.”

Instead, they focus on neutering, vaccinations, and release as the only proven effective and compassionate method to maintain healthy, manageable populations. “Our work worldwide shows that the most compassionate methods are also the most effective.”