Sterilisation
Sterilisation may not be the most glamorous side of global dog rescue, but we are fervent advocates for its absolute importance; it remains the single most effective, compassionate method of controlling rising stray dog populations around the world. So, whilst it might not be the most “sexy” part of what we do, we’re proud to make it an integral part of our mission.
Over three quarters of the world’s dogs are strays, and the problem is only getting worse. Many countries have no laws against cruelty to animals, and those that do often fail to enforce them, leaving animal-loving communities with little to no support to support the strays in their area. What’s more, many countries seek to control stray dog populations through ‘culling’. This takes many forms – from gassings and shootings, to poisoning, hanging and starvation – but they all have the same consequence: dogs slaughtered in their thousands.
Such actions are both senselessly cruel, and woefully ineffective. The number of strays continues to rise and – unsterilised and unvaccinated – the problem is compounded. Mass-slaughtering is not solving anything.
Instead, we need a more constructive, compassionate response. Wild at Heart Foundation have implemented sterilisation initiatives all over the world; we fund existing spay and neuter campaigns, with a particular focus on countries where animal cruelty is rife, and have have established our own high-volume sterilisation projects. To date, Wild at Heart Foundation have sterilised tens of thousands of dogs, preventing the birth of some 200 million unwanted puppies.
Donate towards our international sterilisation work
You can read about our ongoing sterilisation campaigns here:
Trap Neuter Release
“Trap, Neuter, Release” clinics are designed to target stray dogs, and are the most effective, compassionate means of controlling the growing number of puppies born onto the streets:
TRAP
The ease of catching stray dogs in order to treat and sterilise varies greatly: in areas where dogs are treated with basic respect, most local strays are relatively trusting of humans, and coaxing them into a professional’s care is a straightforward task. However, many take much more time and effort to cajole into a slip lead, and the most anxious strays may need to be blow-darted in order to be captured safely and humanely.
Even for the more wary characters, the upmost precaution is taken to capture the dogs without causing any harm or undue stress.
NEUTER
Once the dogs have been caught, they’re taken to a clinic to be vet checked and cleared for surgery before a surgeon begins the sterilisation procedure. Surgeons trained in the field of mass sterilisation work remarkably quickly and efficiently; if no complications arise (such as an infected uterus or undiagnosed health issues prior injury), females are neutered in a matter of minutes!
TNR surgeons are trained in specialist sterilisation methods to ensure quick healing and to minimise the risk of infection. Whilst undergoing treatment, dogs receive full vaccinations – including against rabies – and are usually tattooed or ear-tagged to show they have been sterilised.
RELEASE
After the dogs come to from their anaesthetic, they are given time and a safe space to recover. When they’re ready, they are driven back to the area they came from. Here they are greeted by their doggy friends as well as the human community who care for them. Whilst it would be wonderful to live in a world where all dogs have a home to go to, it’s a sad fact that there are still hundreds of millions of strays around the world; with shelters already full, and adoptive homes in short supply, TNR programmes are reliant on the compassion of local communities who feed and look out for the dogs that have become their neighbours.