ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
SUMMARY vii
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Definitions of stray dogs and cats 1
1.2. Problems associated with stray dogs and cats 1
1.3. The need for control 3
1.4. Introduction to the report 3
1.4.1. Aim of the questionnaire survey 3
1.4.2. Specific objectives 3
2. METHODOLOGY 5
2.1. General method 5
2.2. Contents of the questionnaire 5
2.3. Selection of countries for more detailed investigation 5
3. RESULTS 7
3.1. Response rate 7
3.2. Legislation 7
3.2.1. Pet ownership 7
3.2.2. Breeding and selling 8
3.2.3. Abandonment, stray animals, stray collection 8
3.2.4. Dangerous dogs 8
3.3. Stray control 11
3.3.1. Dogs 11
3.3.1.i. Population trends 11
3.3.1.ii. Source of stray dogs 15
3.3.1.iii. Methods of stray dog control 15
3.3.2. Cats 16
3.3.2.i. Population trends 16
3.3.2.ii. Source of stray cats 16
3.3.2.iii. Methods of stray cat control 16
3.4. Euthanasia 19
3.5. Neutering 19
3.6. Owner education 19
3.7. Characteristics of countries surveyed and their approaches to stray dog control 23
3.8. Comparisons to the previous study undertaken in 1999 25
3.8.1. Changes in legislation 25
3.8.2. Changes in compulsory registration or licensing of dogs and
dog identification 25
3.8.3. Responsibility for stray control 25
3.9. Case studies: Examples of successful control 26
3.9.1. Slovenia 26
3.9.1.1. The situation in Slovenia 26