Animal Welfare Groups Reveal Stray Dog Sterilization Success in Northern Taiwan; Ministry Plans Permit System

Animal welfare organizations and a bipartisan group of legislators in Taiwan are calling for enhanced measures to control the stray dog population, highlighting the critical role of intensive sterilization programs. At a press conference organized by the Taiwan Stray Animal Rescue Association, advocates presented findings from a decade of high-intensity sterilization efforts in Northern Taiwan.

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High-intensity sterilization is an effective way to control stray dogs.

The association, along with other animal protection groups, cited data indicating a national downward trend in stray dog numbers, with a 11.34% reduction reported in 2024. They also noted a significant decrease of over 80% in the number of young dogs entering shelters in the Taipei-Keelung-Taoyuan metropolitan area. The groups presented three key demands: continued reinforcement of high-intensity sterilization policies, implementation of systematic household surveys to manage owned dogs at their source, and the use of scientific data as a common language to foster consensus on animal protection.

Chen Chung-hsing, deputy director of the Animal Protection Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, agreed that "high-intensity sterilization is an effective way to control stray dogs." He revealed that the ministry plans to amend the Animal Protection Act. The current "reporting system," which allows owners to simply report sterilization, will be replaced by a "permit system" requiring local governments to approve sterilization procedures, thereby strengthening management at the source.

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The current Animal Protection Act's exemption from sterilization is a 'reporting system.' Owners can simply report to the local government. After the amendment of the Animal Protection Act, it will be changed to a 'permit system,' which will be approved by the local government.

Legislators emphasized the importance of owner responsibility and source management. Legislator Kuo Yu-ching pointed out that the reduction in young dogs entering shelters in Northern Taiwan by over 88% and a 92% decrease in reported stray dog incidents in Taipei demonstrate the effectiveness of these policies. Legislator Wu Si-yao added that the data from the Ministry of Agriculture's national survey confirms the downward trend, urging a firm commitment to these scientifically-backed policies. Legislator Hung Meng-kai stressed the need for joint efforts between central and local governments to enhance education on owner responsibility.

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How to reduce the number of stray dogs in the most effective way, while also ensuring animal welfare, the most important thing is source management. Strengthening the intensity of sterilization can reduce subsequent shelter and medical costs.