This Is an Example for the Whole World

The Kingdom of Bhutan became the first country with 100% sterilization and vaccination of street dogs.

This global breakthrough in humane treatment of dogs was made possible thanks to the efforts of Humane Society International.

The Kingdom of Bhutan announced an important achievement, becoming the first country in the world where the entire street dog population has been fully sterilized and vaccinated.

At the closing ceremony of the National Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Project, Prime Minister Tshering presented HSI representatives with a memorial plaque in recognition of their “consistent and unwavering support” in ensuring the safety and welfare of stray dogs in Bhutan since 2009.

The program included large-scale spay/neuter efforts and community engagement initiatives. Since its inception, the program has successfully sterilized and vaccinated over 150,000 street dogs and microchipped 32,000 domestic dogs.

In Asia, approximately 300 million street dogs face numerous dangers, including hunger, disease, infections, injuries, transmissible cancer, and cruel treatment.

In 2009, the government of Bhutan decided to adopt a humane approach to street dog population management and partnered with HSI. Over 35 Bhutanese veterinarians and staff were trained in modern spay/neuter methods. Community engagement initiatives were also launched to raise awareness about dog welfare.

Prime Minister Tshering expressed gratitude to the de-suups (community volunteers) and all districts of Bhutan for their contribution to the program. It became not only a historic event for the country but also a significant step in the global context of humane dog management and animal welfare.