Managing dog populations humanely and effectively

In many countries, dog population management runs side by side with mass canine vaccination programmes, and is often an integral part of established rabies control efforts.

There are many benefits to the community when this is done in an effective manner– along with a reduction in human and animal rabies cases, there are fewer attacks and dog bites, improved animal welfare, reduced transmission of other zoonoses and more responsible caring for pets. Unfortunately, mass killing of dogs is sometimes the response to a rabies outbreak, which causes tremendous suffering and is not effective as a way to control rabies.

Humane, effective and sustainable dog population management is a challenge worldwide. The 2nd International Conference on Dog Population Management, co-organised by GARC, will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 3-5 March 2015. It brings the public sector together with specialists in animal welfare, animal health and education, ecologists, economists and social scientists to share and discuss intersectoral collaboration, innovation and evidence-based solutions for dog population management.

Participants from all over the world will have the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to managing dog populations, share results of research and field work on the issue, and use the expertise and experience of speakers and other participants to improve animal and human health and wellbeing in their countries over the long term. Register now to join leaders in dog population management and be inspired by innovative and successful programmes from around the world - please visit www.dogpopulationmanagement2015.org for further details.

The conference has been organised by the ICAM (International Companion Animal Management) Coalition, which was established to support the development and use of humane and effective companion animal population management worldwide. Current members are: International Fund for Animal Welfare; World Animal Protection; Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA); Humane Society International; World Small Animal Veterinary Association; and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.