«Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return», Morocco's strategy to manage stray dogs
«We have a problem: stray dogs. So we have to solve it, but in a way that respects animals», Mohamed Roudani, head of public health and green spaces at the Interior Ministry, told the Associated Press (AP).
He was referring to the «Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return» (TNVR) strategy, officially adopted by Morocco in 2019. The country has spent around $23 million on animal control centers and programs over the past five years. As part of the program, a center has opened in Rabat to carry out the TNVR strategy, with at least 14 more planned in other cities, aligning Morocco with recommendations from the World Organization for Animal Health.
Located in El Aarjate, the facility houses hundreds of «Beldi» dogs, Morocco's street dogs. During a press visit, the Associated Press reported that the center treats and tags the animals before releasing them.
At the center, veterinarians from the Association for the Protection of Animals and Nature say they care for between 400 and 500 dogs from Rabat and nearby towns. Dogs deemed too sick or aggressive are euthanized with sodium pentobarbital.
«Slaughtering dogs leads to nothing», said Youssef Lhor, a veterinarian at the center. «This TNVR strategy is not a miracle solution, but it is one element that adds to everything else we're doing».
The program comes as Morocco faces scrutiny from international animal rights groups, some of which accuse the country of killing stray dogs ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Officials deny these claims and insist their policies align with animal welfare standards—not sporting events.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Morocco's Interior Minister Slams Media Campaign Over Stray Dogs Issue
Rabat — Morocco's Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, has denounced what he called a 'coordinated media campaign' targeting the country over its handling of stray dogs. He said this campaign intensified after Morocco was selected to host major international sporting events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Laftit said the campaign spreads false claims and misrepresents the reality on the ground. 'The reports focus heavily on stray dogs and accuse authorities of inhumane practices without acknowledging the real efforts made to protect public health and animal rights,' he told members of the House of Advisors. Laftit explained that stray animals, especially dogs, pose serious public health risks. In 2024, over 100,000 cases of bites and scratches were recorded. Rabies alone caused 33 deaths last year. Authorities also recorded 432 cases of hydatid disease and 64 cases of leishmaniasis. To address the issue, the government signed a partnership agreement in 2019 with the Ministry of Health, ONSSA, and the national veterinary body. The program focuses on scientific approaches, including surgical sterilization, rabies vaccination, and the creation of animal shelters. So far, Morocco has built or is building 20 shelters, with one already operating in Rabat. The government allocated MAD 240 million ($ 26,58 million) over five years to support this effort. A mobile veterinary unit in Kenitra has also been launched as a pilot project, offering treatment, vaccination, and temporary shelter for stray dogs. Laftit said his department also allocates MAD 40 million ($ 4.43 million) annually to the Pasteur Institute to provide vaccines and antiserums, while local authorities contribute an additional MAD 40 million ($ 4.43 million) to support health centers across the country. The Moroccan government approved on July 10 a draft law on protecting stray animals, particularly dogs, providing protection from the dangers they may pose to the public.
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
«Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return», Morocco's strategy to manage stray dogs
Morocco is scaling up a nationwide program to sterilize, vaccinate, and release stray dogs, as part of efforts to manage their population while addressing concerns about public health and animal welfare. «We have a problem: stray dogs. So we have to solve it, but in a way that respects animals», Mohamed Roudani, head of public health and green spaces at the Interior Ministry, told the Associated Press (AP). He was referring to the «Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return» (TNVR) strategy, officially adopted by Morocco in 2019. The country has spent around $23 million on animal control centers and programs over the past five years. As part of the program, a center has opened in Rabat to carry out the TNVR strategy, with at least 14 more planned in other cities, aligning Morocco with recommendations from the World Organization for Animal Health. Located in El Aarjate, the facility houses hundreds of «Beldi» dogs, Morocco's street dogs. During a press visit, the Associated Press reported that the center treats and tags the animals before releasing them. At the center, veterinarians from the Association for the Protection of Animals and Nature say they care for between 400 and 500 dogs from Rabat and nearby towns. Dogs deemed too sick or aggressive are euthanized with sodium pentobarbital. «Slaughtering dogs leads to nothing», said Youssef Lhor, a veterinarian at the center. «This TNVR strategy is not a miracle solution, but it is one element that adds to everything else we're doing». The program comes as Morocco faces scrutiny from international animal rights groups, some of which accuse the country of killing stray dogs ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Officials deny these claims and insist their policies align with animal welfare standards—not sporting events.
Morocco World
15-02-2025
- Morocco World
Moroccan Official Denies Reports of Mass Culling of Stray Dogs
Rabat – A Moroccan official has denied accusations that the country is planning to kill three million stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Mohamed Roudani, Head of the Department of Health Preservation and Green Spaces at the General Directorate of Territorial Communities, said the reports circulating in some international media are 'completely unfounded.' 'There is no campaign to eradicate stray dogs,' Roudani told MAP news agency. 'The claims that Morocco is planning to eliminate three million stray dogs before the World Cup have no basis.' His statement comes in response to growing criticism from animal rights groups and activists, who have accused Morocco of carrying out mass killings of stray dogs ahead of major tournaments. Some activists suggested that authorities have been culling dogs in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting. Several animal welfare associations condemned what they described as a 'cruel and inhumane' approach , and called on authorities to adopt ethical and sustainable solutions instead. Some groups shared images and testimonies online claiming that stray dogs were being poisoned or shot in various cities. In response Roudani said that Moroccan local authorities are committed to 'humane and sustainable' solutions in dealing with stray dogs. Municipalities are working in line with international animal welfare standards and are implementing various measures to control the stray dog population ethically, he argued. To address the issue, Roudani added, the Interior Ministry supports municipalities in several initiatives, including building and equipping animal clinics, implementing the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release) method. They are especially reinforcing public health offices with veterinarians, nurses, and technicians, he concluded. Tags: 2030 World Cup and Moroccostray dogsstray dogs morocco
