Stray animals – an overview of Europe Alexandra Hammond- Seaman Senior Programme Manager-Europe RSPCA

Legislative framework Acquis: nothing except use in laboratories Council of Europe Pet Convention But all countries use animal welfare laws as their framework for acquis

Enforcement and implementation in companion animals Legislation improved on companion animal cruelty and welfare issues through national laws Patchy on pet passports Little understanding of how to improve

The Need for EU action DGSANCO website on Animal Welfare …since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals… (Art.13) It needs, however, to be noted that the European Union operates under the principles of conferred competences and subsidiarity. So competences not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States and under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas that do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Union shall act only if and in so far as the objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States (Article 1, 4 and 5 of the EU Treaty).

EU Companion animals policy : Why Objective not met by Member States EU competence

Why EU ? Objective not met by Member States Action Puppy tradeOverpopulation Exotic petsDog bites Neglect Disease Injuries Invasive species

Why EU ? France 17 million dogs and cats 1 million puppies sold per year dogs abandoned each year Only 530 shelters for villages = 70 villages per shelter Cost Fondation BB 2 million SPA 27 million

Why EU ? UK 14 million dogs and cats 100 rehoming centres abandoned animals Cost shelters RSPCA 53 Million Italy 44 million companion animals (14 million dogs/cats) Private shelters 679 Public shelters 465

Why EU EU Competence Sustainable development : high level of animal health and welfare Internal market and trade Animal Health Strategy : Public Health Consumer protection Environment protection: Habitats, invasive species Important economic activity: Value €1.45 billion (poultry €1.1 billion per year purchase € 62 million vet € 245 million shelter € 15 million

EU Action Breeding and sales Puppy transport and trade Identification of all pets Animal health threats and measures Support for animal protection NGOs : education, shelter management, cruelty enforcement

An overview of the problem (overpopulation or not?) Poor and not improving Good Improving

Trends in stray dogs in 30 European countries

Unwanted animals taken in by the RSPCA

Trends in companion animals: numbers stray dogs in UK

Trends in companion animals: numbers stray dogs in Poland

Methods of stray control in 30 countries

Two approaches No kill: Catch Neuter release Advantages: No kill Disadvantages: doesn’t stop the problem, still have noise, pollution; abandonement is illegal under CofE Allow euthanasia Shelter and adoption Advantages: teaches RPO, takes animals off the streets Disadvantages: adoption not known; overcrowding, poor euthanasia and standards

Good news 87% of countries have legislation 70% of countries prohibit abandonment 50% restrict selling and breeding of dogs 61% of countries have laws on RPO

Bad news Only 13 countries have legislation on who can own pets 9 countries don’t enforce abandonement legislation Most legislation not enforced properly Poor state of shelters and catching No accurate data

How organisations can help Animal welfare organisations are working on the ground so have experience and data Local authorities need to implement Veterinarians need to neuter and chip

Solutions Assess problem: good data Legislation and enforce legislation Set standards: train catchers, shelter personnel Set up stakeholder committee Undertake responsible pet ownership work

Solutions 2 Responsible pet ownership Reduce supply of dogs: dog breeding, pet selling Abandonement made illegal Age of owning dogs Educate: standards on keeping Registration and identification Encourage neutering: work with vets

Future OIE standards agreed in 2009 Pressure to implement humane methods increases Abandoning animals less tolerated Public become more educated Ngos become more relevant