Of course, rescuing and re-homing strays is only one aspect of the problem. There are many issues behind the situation including social, political and educational matters. The best way of limiting stray dog populations remains contentious. Many charities now recommend so-called capture-neuter-release (CNR) programs (also sometimes known as “Trap Neuter Return” and "Catch-Castrate-Release”). However, these methods remain controversial and the most advantageous method of controlling stray dog populations is likely to vary depending on the prevailing underlying factors in any given socio-economic situation. This means that the optimum method will vary from country-to-country and from time-to-time.
CNR programs have gained credibility partly because of the revulsion that many people feel when faced with the alternative of mass destruction that is often used.
Despite repeated culling, the stray dog population keeps recovering and is likely to do so as long as dogs are abandoned and not neutered. Even CNR programs are not guaranteed to succeed in these circumstances and the ultimate solution must therefore depend on a multi-pronged attack including education of the public and affordable neutering schemes.
In the UK a complex interaction of charities has evolved over many years to address these problems. These include charities dedicated to relieving animal suffering and prosecuting those who contravene animal welfare legislation, charities dedicated to providing affordable veterinary care for the poorer members of society and charities dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of stray and abandoned animals. All of the charities collaborate in public education. When euthanasia of dogs is indicated, the charities involved aim to do this by the most humane means possible. It is likely that a similarly complex mix will be required to properly address the problem in developing countries and this cannot be provided overnight.
Justin’s Trust is dedicated to helping to address the stray dog population problem in emerging European countries by collaborating with other charities. The long term aim is to develop a network of help similar to that available in the UK. The main focus of Justin’s Trust, however, is to provide rescue, sanctuary and re-homing facilities for stray and abandoned dogs.
Puppies climbing over the dead bodies of other dogs in a so called “Isolator” in Bulgaria. In some areas stray dogs are rounded up and massacred by shooting in such compounds.
