How stray animals are used in other countries. Convincing evidence that Holland is the country of the future
The “mustache, paws, tail” set would fit “and the owner” safely. For homeless animals, not having the latter is usually fraught with captivity or death. Although the problem has progressive solutions, up to the interactive map of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, where the standard of living of its charges is monitored. While some countries prohibit having a dog out of religious beliefs, and others tolerate their shooting, a third party places rights no less than human rights into the hands of four-legged animals. However, solutions may vary radically from region to region.
Irrevocable capture
UK, Germany, Israel, Spain, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, France, Czech Republic, South Africa, Japan
This is the name of the procedure when a homeless animal from an urban environment is placed in a private or municipal shelter: then it is not returned to the place of capture. After vaccination and a set period of holding, the animals go to new owners; if during this time the previous or new owners do not appear, the animals are painlessly euthanized (not without exceptions). This method is considered ethical by major animal protection organizations such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals, HSUS and PETA. They proceed from the rhetoric that euthanasia is more humane than returning to a hostile environment, where death will be, if not quicker, then more cruel. Often shelters, which cost about $100,000 a year to operate, accommodate about 200 “residents,” when dozens of newcomers are needed daily as vacancies.
In shelters, the ratio of homeless and abandoned animals is approximately 50 to 50. This explains the complex process that anyone who adopts a pet from a shelter finds himself in. The paperwork can be compared to adoption. However, such responsibility will make the owner think about how ready he is and whether he will later give up the one he has tamed.
An exception to “humanely euthanasia” shelters is limited-admission shelters. There is no need for euthanasia here, because the number of places is limited. Those of the mustachioed who have acquired such a place of residence can live happily ever after.
One of the largest and most famous shelters is the “Land of Stray Dogs” (“Territorio de Zaguates”) in Costa Rica. Hundreds of dogs scurry around their territory, clean, well-fed and examined by veterinarians, while people come to either play with them or make them part of the family.
The practice of shelters is enviably developed in the Czech Republic, where the police are involved in caring for homeless animals. If citizens see a lonely dog, they call the hotline, which activates the service for catching stray animals. When a four-legged animal ends up in a shelter, they look for a chip or tattoo that can be used to identify the owner. If there are none, photographs are posted on the city police website to find a new owner for the dog. And if this doesn’t work, the wanderer remains in the shelter, but there is no question of euthanasia. Even the city police have two budget shelters for stray animals, not to mention private organizations in the city.
OSV: capture - sterilization - return
Bangladesh, UK, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Southern Italy, locally - in Bulgaria and Greece
More like a cat story. Dogs in developed countries are more often dealt with in a catch-and-release mode. And stray cats, whose reproduction speed can rival budding, and the strength of their “colony” can rival that of a mafia family, need more attention to their reproduction. Therefore, sterilization was reasonably established in the chain between capture and return.
OSV is an addition to standard municipal trapping. This practice exists in relation to family groups of stray cats that live in some urban habitat. Such a group always has a guardian who monitors their health and number. The rest is taken care of by animal rights activists who, using charitable funds, simultaneously sterilize the females (sometimes depriving the males of the chance to have offspring), vaccinate them, sometimes give them marks and return them to their original place. After this, the number of homeless offspring should not increase. True, for sterilization to be effective, you need to get the hang of it: both to perform operations at the same time, and to prevent the cat’s “merger of clans”, unification with another family.
There are no homeless animals
The Netherlands is considered the only country in the world where there are no stray animals. They willingly share their experience and recommendations in the brochure “How Holland became free from stray dogs.” If we boil down the secret of success to a few theses, it brings together the best of international practice in the ethical treatment of animals. This includes the legal status of animals (including penalties for cruelty to them), and taxes on keeping pets, which force one to more seriously weigh the desire to have them, and mass sterilization of four-legged animals is mandatory: so that supply does not exceed demand.
Local methods
On the Greek island of Rhodes, there are “profiles” of dogs, next to which there are always full bowls, and on the sign itself there is a tray of bird food. This is a local initiative.
In Turkey, city streets are lined with feeders, and city parks are often cat territory, complete with animal houses and "Beware of Cats" signs. (at first the program included infrastructure for dogs, but cats outnumbered them). Local city halls are involved in the arrangement of such locations, and veterinarians monitor the health of the cats. Plus, you can take what you like home with you. There is a similar painting in Rome's Largo di Torre Argentina, which over the years has become better known as the "cat house" than as the site of Caesar's assassination.
Photo - Maria Gulina, stilinberlin.de, whudat.de, captiv8promos.com
The Netherlands is a country known for ambitious public projects and a standard of living that astonishes and astounds people around the world. Many countries could do with learning from this example. Here are the facts that prove that this is the state of the future. 
This is the only state without homeless animals
Recently it was officially confirmed that there are no stray cats and dogs in the country. The government managed to solve the problem without harming animals. On the contrary, in an attempt to protect the rights of dogs and cats, authorities have introduced strict laws with penalties for cruelty to animals. 
The Netherlands has solar-powered roads
There is a project in the country in which the government is collaborating with private individuals and scientists. His goal is to create roads of the future that are completely illuminated by solar energy and allow charging of electric cars. The first section of such a road was opened in 2015. 
Charging stations for electric cars are located everywhere
The country's strength is its transport system. Here they are trying to abandon the use of gasoline and diesel engines, but there are many charging points for electric cars. 
There is a city in the Netherlands where there are no cars
The Dutch city of Houten is considered one of the safest places in the world. In the early eighties, residents agreed to ride bicycles rather than use cars. Step by step, all citizens switched to this type of transport. 
The government plans to ban the sale of cars with petrol and diesel engines
By 2025, no cars with petrol or diesel engines will be sold in the country. In addition, owners of cars with alternative fuels will not have to pay transport taxes. As a result of all the measures taken by the government, environmentally friendly cars are fifteen thousand euros cheaper! 
Prisons are being closed in the Netherlands as unnecessary
The crime rate is so low that prisons regularly have to be closed - there is no one to hold in them. Nineteen prisons have been closed in the last few years! The average crime rate is 163 people per 100 thousand inhabitants, which is two times less than in Brazil. 
The Netherlands has road bridges for wild animals
The government protects wild animals - there are special bridges so that animals can cross from one part of the forest to another without any fear.
So, how do they do it?
In solving the problem of homeless animals, Western countries use the principle “you need to start with the person.”
Animals do not become homeless on their own. They acquire this status when they are lost or abandoned by their owners.
Therefore, there are quite strict legislative standards regulating the responsibilities of pet owners abroad.
Those who want to have a pet must pay a fairly high tax by Ukrainian standards.
For example, in Germany it is 150 euros for the first dog, 300 for the second. If the dog is a fighting dog, the tax is already 650 euros.
It is necessary to pay for compulsory insurance in case of attack.
Owners of fighting dogs must obtain a certificate of animal safety.
Animals must be microchipped or have tattoos to identify their owners.
In many countries, private owners are prohibited from breeding animals.
The need for vaccinations is not even discussed.
There is an extremely strict system of fines for rule violators. A citizen who throws an animal onto the street can be fined up to 25-30 thousand euros.
In Italy and France there is criminal liability for such an act.
The main method of controlling stray animals is the capture of individuals that are not accompanied by the owner at the time of capture. After this, the animal is placed in a shelter for a period of 3 to 60 days. The further fate of the four-legged animals varies in different countries. The European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals allows euthanasia (III.12).
Only in three countries (Germany, Greece, Italy) is it prohibited to euthanize healthy, non-aggressive dogs after being caught. If the animal is unable to find its owner, in Germany and Italy it is taken into state custody, and in Greece it is released back.
In a number of European countries, an unadopted animal is euthanized after a certain period or immediately. Euthanasia is seen as a necessary measure because shelters must always be prepared for the arrival of new animals.
The largest animal protection organizations (World Society for the Protection of Animals, HSUS and PETA in the USA) believe that euthanizing an animal is more humane than abandoning it on the street and still dooming it to an early and cruel death.
Different countries have their own peculiarities in the treatment of stray domestic animals.
USA
In the United States, there is an “Animal Neutering Law”, according to which all animals with owners must be sterilized. Only show animals, police dogs and guide dogs are not sterilized. Failure to comply will subject the owner to a fine of up to $500.
A homeless animal may be euthanized. The annual number of individuals euthanized and placed in shelters is approximately the same.
Great Britain
The method of regulating the number of stray animals is trapping, which is carried out by authorized municipal specialists. After 5-7 days, the animals are transferred to conversion centers. Unclaimed stray animals may be euthanized. A wide network of shelters is run exclusively by animal welfare organizations.
Germany
An ideal place for dogs and cats. In the country, the owner’s responsibilities are strictly defined, down to the smallest household details (drinking and food containers should be washed daily, cats should be given special grass or an equivalent substitute, cats should be able to look out of the window). There is a profession - animal defender. But sick and aggressive stray animals are euthanized.
Sweden
Strict rules apply to pet owners. They cannot be left alone for more than five hours, so on weekdays Swedes have to take the dog to “kindergarten” or walk their four-legged friends themselves during the lunch break.
Pet regulations state that cats must receive their need for social contact, necessary grooming and health care. Illness, serious injury and aggression are reasons why stray animals are euthanized. But there are practically no such people. It is believed that the Swedes (as well as other representatives of Scandinavia) in principle do not understand how a dog can be homeless.
Switzerland
Those wishing to have an animal must attend a special course and receive a certificate. The country also provides a “standard” for living space for animals. It is prescribed what to do after a spouse’s divorce and how to divide animals. In 2010, the country held a referendum on whether pets should have the right to their own lawyer or not. But the innovation was supported by only 30% of the population. Sick and aggressive stray animals are euthanized.
Slovenia
There is legislation on shelters, the capture of homeless (stray) animals and the permanent identification of dogs. Legislation allows the euthanasia of healthy stray animals.
Greece
The “catch-sterilize-return” program is fully operational. Euthanasia for homeless animals is prohibited. After capture and sterilization, the four-legged animals return to the place where they were “detained.”
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova
The main measure to regulate the dog population is shooting. In these countries, the number of stray dogs remains unchanged or increases.
India
The authorities do not have a goal to get rid of stray animals completely, because in the country even those dogs that have owners live on the streets. The main purpose of catching is to combat rabies, and secondarily to stabilize the population.
Japan
In general, a respectful attitude towards dogs has been formed. Back in 1695, a decree was even issued prohibiting the killing of dogs under penalty of death. But he did not last long - until 1709. Homeless animals are placed in nurseries, and unclaimed animals are euthanized.
Thailand
The country has a registration program for dogs that must be microchipped. If an animal with a chip is found on the street, the owner faces a serious fine.
Thailand has introduced a ban on feeding street dogs that are brought to one of the northern provinces, where they are kept in a kennel.
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Holland is the only country where there are no homeless animals. The authorities have achieved this without causing them any harm at all: they have given animals their own rights and are quite severe in punishing people who abuse or abandon their pets. All over the world, people leave their animals on the street for various reasons. And this is not considered a big problem, although homeless animals suffer a lot, they are often simply abused. Fortunately, there are countries that are taking effective measures to combat this evil. They offer animals a decent life without any suffering. The Netherlands boasts an absolute absence of stray animals. To achieve this, they did not destroy animals. This result can be a good example for all humanity, and if desired, it can be achieved. This is how they achieved this magnificent victory. ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS One of the most important reasons for the absence of stray animals is the equal treatment of pets and animals that do not have a home. People consider animal abuse a crime. In the Netherlands, as well as in England, pets have the same rights as people. This means that if a family decides to adopt a pet, it becomes part of the family and is treated like a child. From this it is clear that animal rights are fundamental rights, just like human rights in these countries. This legal framework has allowed the Netherlands to be one of the most revered countries for its treatment of all animals. ANIMAL HISTORY IN THE HOLLAND Changing the mindset will not happen overnight, so we need to start from the roots that led to the wonderful present reality. One of the roots goes back to the 19th century, when there were more stray animals in Holland than there are now in Thailand, where there are an incredible number of them. The attitude of people not only towards these animals, but also towards wild nature in general was then simply disgusting. This caused anger among the population of that time. The reason for so many animals abandoned on the streets of Holland was the breeding of purebred dogs. The situation became so critical that the government decided to introduce a tax on purebred animals to reduce their purchase. The result was the opposite effect, and even owners of purebred dogs began to abandon their animals in order to avoid paying taxes. In this situation, the best friends of human victims began to form the first animal welfare associations that fought hard to ensure that animals had the dignity and fair treatment they deserved. CURRENT LAWS AND ACTIONS Thanks to those who fought to protect animals, a number of laws were passed in the 20th century. The most important is the health law, under which those who mistreat animals face a fine of 17,000 euros and three years' imprisonment without bail. The government carried out preventive campaigns with mandatory mass sterilization of animals found on the street to prevent “unwanted reproduction.” It is obvious that the practice of leaving animals on the street has not yet been completely eliminated, but the situation is manageable and each animal is under control. These animals are offered to people or placed in special shelters. Yet the Netherlands has achieved the goal that all animals live with dignity. This was facilitated by 4 main changes: 1) animal rights; 2) high taxes on pets and, as a result, a balanced approach to owning them; 3) strict and severe punishments for poor treatment of animals; 4) mass sterilization of animals is mandatory. Don't be indifferent to animals and don't leave your pets on the street. They also need a home and a loving family!
