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Rabat – A larger shelter for stray dogs and cats is being built in Agadir as part of Morocco’s efforts to tackle the ongoing issue of stray animals.
In the past, Morocco often resorted to culling stray dogs to manage public health risks and control diseases like rabies. However, recognizing the inhumanity of this practice, the country is trying to shift towards more humane solutions.
With a budget of MAD 26 million ($2.6 million), this project will accommodate approximately 1,000 dogs and 200 cats. The shelter covers a total area of 3,941 square meters, and it adheres to international animal welfare standards established by the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
In a statement to Morocco’s state news agency MAP, Hossein Boudrar, Vice President of the Agadir Municipal Council, pointed out that this initiative aims to improve public health and hygiene services.
The shelter will offer a safe, sustainable space for both stray animals and the city’s residents, he explained. Additionally, the facility will provide veterinary care, including sterilization and vaccination, to help reduce the spread of diseases and infections, according to Boudrar, who also heads the Municipal Hygiene Office.
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In August, Morocco ramped up efforts to tackle the challenges posed by stray dogs and cats, which significantly impact public health and sanitation.
The Ministry of Interior, through the Directorate General of Local Authorities (DGCT), has increased legal, financial, and technical support to local communities, including an annual budget of nearly MAD 70 million ($7.3 million) over the past five years to equip municipalities with vehicles and animal capture tools.
A key partnership established in 2019 promotes a humane approach to managing stray animals. This collaboration involves the DGCT, the Ministry of Health, the National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA), and the National Order of Veterinarians.
The program focuses on capturing stray dogs, sterilizing them to control overpopulation, vaccinating them against rabies, treating them for parasites, and then releasing them back into their environments.
This process is carried out in specialized centers like the one in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, aligning with international standards set by the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
