Stray dogs exist in most parts of the world, and they’re a bigger issue in some countries more than others.
Many of them live in poor conditions without any warmth, shelter, or the best dog beds, and are at risk of abuse, poor treatment from officials, and premature death.
Morocco alone has millions of stray dogs, and earlier this year it was reported that as many as three million of them may be culled by authorities ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2030, which Morocco is hosting alongside Spain and Portugal.
Saffron Dixon, from the town of Chesterfield in the UK, began feeding stray dogs in Taghazout, a Moroccan village, in 2023, and returned a year later to see them again. When she learned of the plans to kill stray dogs, she wanted to take action, and the 24-year-old is working with the charity Al-Nour Animal Help, which vaccinates and sterilizes local canines.
Since launching her campaign at the start of the year on GoFundMe, she’s raised more than £6,000 (around $7,700), far exceeding the original target of £250. It costs £25 ($32) to vaccinate a dog, and vaccinated street dogs get a tag through their ear indicating they’ve been vaccinated so that authorities will leave them alone. Sterilizing male dogs, meanwhile, costs £60 ($78) per procedure.
After the vaccination and sterilization program began, Dixon – who’s also planning on doing a skydive for the campaign next month – told the BBC she “cried all day because I have worked so hard on it” and added: “It has taken a lot to do it so I feel quite relieved now...I'm just hoping that these ones [dogs] will be left alone.”
Les Ward, chairman of the International Animal Coalition (IAWPC), said: "If we think things are bad, as in the case in Morocco, then we activate the international animal welfare coalition.
"We have offered to use our expertise and experience to introduce a humane, comprehensive animal dog management program in conjunction with the veterinary authorities and government in Morocco."
A spokesperson from the Embassy of Morocco, meanwhile, said the North African nation had an "unwavering commitment to humane and sustainable solutions for managing stray dog populations while prioritizing public health and animal welfare.”
If you come across a dog closer to home, and you’re not sure if they’re a stray, here’s what to do if you find a lost dog.
