Around the globe, millions of dogs are currently living as strays. Multiple organizations, both local and global, are working hard to rectify this situation, but it is a long and challenging process.

In Holland, the government has put a great deal of effort into handling their national problem with stray dogs.

This is incredible! Holland has been working hard to fix its stray dog problem and it finally paid off. The Netherlands has officially become the first country without stray dogs!

Hopefully, other countries with similar issues will follow suit as Holland shows the world that it can be done!

Holland has had a huge dog population, since the 19th century. At one point, nearly every family in Holland had a dog as it was viewed as a symbol of social standing. Unfortunately, there was an outbreak of rabies that spread quickly and became one of the leading causes of death. Due to the overwhelming fear, the dog owners of Holland began to abandon their dogs (this action was considered legal), and the streets soon became filled with stray, homeless dogs.

Holland achieved this impressive result through a thorough sterilization program, taxation, and stricter animal welfare laws. The government took in every stray dog across the country for sterilization, medical attention, and vaccination. The government has also made sterilization both free of charge and mandatory.

In order to encourage adoption over shopping, the government has raised the taxes associated with buying a dog. Because of this, it makes more economic sense for people to adopt a dog from a shelter.

Stronger animal welfare laws have also been put into place. It is illegal to abandon your pets and neglect or cruelty is punishable by 3 years in prison and a 16,000 euro fine. A special police division has been created for the sole purpose of preventing animal cruelty and preventing the abandonment of animals.

Holland runs campaigns to raise awareness of the situation. People had the opportunity to care for homeless puppies and soon enough fell in love as over a million stray dogs managed to find a forever family!

The campaign was a huge success as it led to 90% of the population adopting a stray dog as a pet.

They also created a group of policemen who are in charge of protecting the safety of dogs called, “Animal Cops“. Today, puppies living in the Netherlands are not only living comfortably in homes, but they’re also accepted in most of the country’s stores, restaurants, and other establishments.