Stray animals remain one of the most pressing animal welfare challenges across the European Union. Dogs and cats without families live in vulnerable conditions, exposed to neglect, illegal trafficking, disease, and uncontrolled breeding.
In this context, a new European Citizens’ Initiative calls for a harmonised legal framework to ensure ethical and sustainable management of stray animals, overcoming the current fragmentation among Member States and promoting minimum common standards.
OIPA ETS strongly supports this initiative and reiterates the urgent need for structured action at the European level.
“Stray animal populations cannot be addressed through emergency measures or temporary solutions,” states Massimo Pradella, President of OIPA International. “We need coordinated policies based on prevention, mandatory identification, sterilisation programmes, and responsible ownership. Only in this way can we break the cycle of abandonment and suffering.”
The proposed measures include structured sterilisation and vaccination programmes, compulsory microchipping and interoperable registries, stricter controls on breeding and trade, public awareness campaigns against abandonment, and greater support for local authorities and shelters.
According to OIPA, the absence of common minimum standards facilitates cross-border illegal trade and makes it more difficult to control uncontrolled reproduction. The issue also falls within the broader review of EU animal welfare legislation currently under discussion at the European Commission.
“Animals are not objects and must not be treated as commodities,” adds Pradella. “A coordinated European approach is essential to ensure uniform protection and to fully recognise animals as sentient beings.”
Alongside its institutional advocacy, OIPA works daily to combat stray animal populations through prevention programmes, sterilisation initiatives, rescue operations, veterinary assistance, enforcement activities carried out by its volunteer guards, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing abandonment.
What You Can Do ?
You can actively contribute to the fight against stray animal suffering by supporting the work of OIPA making a donation.
By specifying “stray animals” in the payment reference, you ensure that your contribution is allocated directly to this area of intervention. Your donation will support sterilisation programmes, veterinary care, rescue operations, prevention initiatives, and field activities aimed at reducing suffering and promoting long-term solutions for stray animals.
Through your support, OIPA can continue its work on the ground and provide concrete assistance where it is most urgently needed.
