STRAY ANIMALS ARE NEGLECTED AND ABUSED IN MANY COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. SUPPORT OUR PROJECT AND HELP US “SAVE A STRAY”

Stray animals are neglected and abused in many countries around the world. Did you know that?

Often, we remain unaware of the conditions faced by animals in other nations and how strays are treated in specific places. However, when we uncover the truth, it becomes evident that the list of countries where animal welfare falls below even the minimum standard is alarmingly long, and unfortunately, it is getting worse every day.

National animal protection laws and regulations are frequently inadequate, and in many cases, basic animal rights do not exist in these countries. Additionally, there is a significant lack of educational and awareness campaigns aimed at local communities. Such initiatives are essential to combat the widespread feelings of mistrust, fear, indifference, and hostility towards stray animals.

The absence of laws, regulations, and education forces street dogs and cats to endure daily struggles for survival against abuse and mistreatment.

Strays are often not recognized as sentient beings capable of feeling emotions such as joy and happiness, as well as fear, pain, and sadness. Instead, they are viewed merely as “a nuisance to public health and safety,” leading to inhumane, cruel, and barbaric methods of control.

Local governments frequently refuse to allocate resources for the ethical management and control of stray animal populations. Rather than implementing effective long-term programs for mass sterilization and vaccination, they waste money on brutal practices that result only in the suffering and death of thousands of stray animals. This attitude toward strays reflects a societal norm that emboldens citizens to abuse innocent beings, teaching their children that violence and brutality are justified and socially acceptable.

Those strays who manage to evade mass culling and killing campaigns are still forced to live in deplorable conditions. Undernourished, sick, injured, and suffering from serious disabilities and diseases, they spend their short lives aware that cruelty is always lurking just around the corner.

These are just a few examples; stray animals are often rejected by local institutions and discarded by citizens in many other countries as well.

Unfortunately, the problem of stray animals is still neglected by the institutions of many countries, which in most cases, do little or nothing to prevent it, while in the worst cases, employ cruel methods, like mass shooting or poisoning, to “solve” the problem.

Any civilized country should be ashamed of itself when an animal dies, is abused, becomes ill or is injured due to lack of assistance and protection, but shame is a feeling that apparently only few are able to experience.
Stray dogs – but also cats – often rely only on volunteers to survive. Volunteers who feed and look after them daily and provide them constant care and assistance.

What can we citizens do to help strays? Call on governments and institutions to pass or implement laws for the protection of animals, promote tourism in locations that behave ethically towards stray dogs, help associations and volunteers.

In the view of these extremely painful realities and considering the so many calls for help that OIPA International receives daily from its delegations and member league associations, the organization has decided to launch a project to give voice and offer a tangible help to stray dogs and cats who have no choice, and invisible continue to suffer every day around the world.

Supporting our project “SAVE A STRAY”, you will help us with:

🥫 FOOD wet, dry and specific food for animals;

🩹 VET CARE AND TREATMENT provide veterinary care and assistance to strays in need – including spaying and neutering, core/rabies vaccinations, medicines and medications, parasite treatments, internal/external/complex surgeries, diagnosis and examinations, therapies and recovery, blood/other tests;

🏡 FOSTER AND ADOPTION pay relocation, foster and rehome of stray animals suitable for adoption – offering them a chance of a better life;

📘 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES prepare educational programmes and informative material addressed to communities, schools and municipalities regarding the topic of responsible pet ownership, and the correct approach and management of local stray animals;

(Some examples of costs for a single dog or cat: 10 – 20 euros  for tests or vaccinations; 20 – 30 euros for monthly food; 50 – 100 euros for desex and microchip; 100 – 200 euros for surgeries; etc..) – whatever amount, even a few euros, can change the life of a stray