List of Countries that Care for Stray Dogs (Pet Animals)! Is India on the List? Check Here

Stray animals live without homes. They face hunger, sickness, and fear daily. Many roam the streets, struggling for survival.

In Delhi, the problem is severe. The city is estimated to have around one million stray dogs. The Supreme Court issued an order on August 11, 2025. It said authorities must pick up stray dogs, sterilise, vaccinate, and keep them in shelters within eight weeks. 

Among all countries, one leads in caring for stray and pet animals. That country is the Netherlands. It became the first nation to eradicate stray dogs. It did this without mass culling. 

The government funded a nationwide catch, neuter, vaccinate, and return (CNVR) programme. It passed strong laws to stop pet abandonment. It even taxed the purchase of pets to encourage adoption. Today, stray dogs are almost gone, and pet welfare is strong.

In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 countries that care best for stray and pet animals.

What Country Treats Stray Dogs The Best?

1. Netherlands

The Netherlands is globally recognised for its humane and highly effective approach to caring for stray dogs. The country has successfully eliminated stray dogs from its streets by implementing a comprehensive system that includes sterilisation, vaccination, and microchipping.

The government implemented the CNVR (Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return) program, making it compulsory for all dogs to be registered and microchipped soon after birth.

Adopting dogs from shelters is strongly encouraged via tax incentives on store-bought pets, making shelter adoption the norm.

Furthermore, an animal police force investigates and acts on animal abuse cases, safeguarding pets through round-the-clock veterinary care and emergency services. Stringent anti-cruelty laws make abandonment or abuse punishable by heavy fines and jail terms.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland's reputation for animal welfare is rooted in some of the world's strictest laws governing animal welfare. Abandoning dogs or other pets is strictly prohibited and can result in imprisonment for up to three years. 

Stray dogs are rare thanks to this strict legislation and mandatory registration requirements for all pets. Cantonal laws often require prospective owners to undergo formal education through courses, ensuring responsible pet care.

The law emphasises regular exercise, companionship, and species-appropriate environments for all pets, supported by a robust infrastructure of shelters that focuses on fostering and adoption over euthanasia. Legal advocacy allows animals to be represented in court, further protecting their rights. 

The Swiss government also promotes mandatory sterilisation for the homeless, with rehoming as a primary goal, ensuring that stray dogs receive proper care, rehabilitation, and a chance at a new life in compassionate homes.

3. India

India grapples with a large stray dog population, but has developed numerous progressive policies to address their welfare.

The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program, mandated by the government and implemented by local municipalities, promotes sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination as humane population management techniques. 

In addition, India hosts a vast network of NGOs and charitable organisations committed to rescue operations, rehabilitation, and awareness campaigns. The law punishes cruelty and abandonment, with offenders subject to imprisonment and fines.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) supports veterinarians and welfare organisations engaged in sterilisation and immunisation programs nationwide.

4. Austria

Austria is known for its tough anti-cruelty laws, which impose strict penalties for animal abuse and mistreatment.

Comprehensive regulations ensure that every pet receives regular exercise, social interaction, humane treatment, and veterinary care throughout its entire life. The country also enshrines the right for animals to live free from unnecessary suffering, particularly farm and stray pets.

The Austrian government provides substantial backing to animal rights groups, facilitating both public and private efforts to protect and improve the humanitarian treatment of stray dogs. Highly regulated shelters serve as sanctuaries for strays, emphasising rehabilitation and permanent homing.

5. Sweden

Sweden applies mandatory animal welfare regulations ensuring all animals, including stray dogs, live in suitable environments and can express their natural behaviours.

Harmful practices like tail docking and beak trimming are banned, while a government agency supervises compliance with animal welfare laws at all levels. Education is central: children learn the importance of kindness to animals from a young age.

Sweden's network of shelters prioritises rehoming and rehabilitation over euthanasia, and public engagement is encouraged through campaigns aimed at responsible pet ownership and humane care.

6. New Zealand

New Zealand stands out for its forward-thinking animal welfare laws and commitment to protecting both native wildlife and stray pets.

The progressive Animal Welfare Act sets national standards for the treatment of animals, and stray dog management includes compulsory microchipping, registration, and community-oriented rescue efforts.

Shelters across the country emphasise rehabilitation, adoption, and education, supporting responsible pet ownership.

Government campaigns and community-driven conservation programs involve citizens in addressing animal welfare at every level, from fostering and neutering to providing veterinary care for homeless pets.

7. Turkey

Historically, Turkey embraced the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) program, which focused on sterilising and vaccinating stray dogs and then releasing them back to their neighbourhoods.

Turkish law has banned mass culling for many years, instead requiring local communities to care for and feed strays. Dogs living on the streets of Istanbul and other cities are tagged to indicate whether they have been vaccinated and neutered. 

However, recent changes—including the 2024 "Massacre Law"—mandate the removal of millions of stray dogs to shelters, where adoption is prioritised. Unadoptable, sick, or aggressive dogs may be euthanised under new rules.

8. Bulgaria

Bulgaria's commitment to stray dog welfare hinges on the successful implementation of the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) model, supported by the global organisation FOUR PAWS. 

Sofia, the capital, has witnessed a dramatic decrease in its stray population thanks to sterilisation and registration efforts, as well as education campaigns about responsible pet ownership. 

Mobile and stationary clinics provide veterinary care, vaccinations, and treatment, while community outreach encourages adoption and compassion. 

Bulgaria's focus on partnership and prevention is recognised as a European best practice, serving as a model of how collaborative efforts can effectively reduce and care for stray pets while promoting safety and well-being.

9. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic manages stray dog populations through targeted national legislation and local enforcement. Key laws address sterilisation, vaccination, sheltering, and responsible ownership, aiming to balance public health with animal welfare. 

Enforcement includes licensure mandates, education about humane treatment, and the integration of stray dogs into the shelter system.

10. Italy

Italy's measures for managing stray dogs are based on legal frameworks that ensure population control, welfare, and protection from cruelty. Municipal and regional authorities enforce sterilisation programs, animal sheltering, and public education initiatives. 

The integration of EU-wide guidelines and the active participation of non-profit organisations have fostered improvements in how stray dogs are managed, cared for, and rehabilitated.

Which Countries Have The Most Comprehensive Dog Welfare Policies?

The countries with the most comprehensive dog welfare policies are Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. 

These nations are frequently ranked at the top in global animal protection indexes and comparative studies due to their extensive and enforceable dog welfare laws.

Highlights of These Policies

• Switzerland is renowned for its pioneering animal protection efforts, boasting some of the world's strictest laws. Dogs require daily walks and social interaction, and owners must complete educational courses. Legal advocacy enables animals to be represented in court, and abandoning a pet can result in severe penalties.
• Austria features firm anti-cruelty laws, mandatory exercise and socialisation for dogs, and government backing for animal rights groups. Every stage of a pet's life must be species-appropriate, and cruelty is heavily penalised.
• The Netherlands has proactive animal police, a zero-stray dog policy, compulsory registration, microchipping, and strict enforcement of anti-abuse laws. Public engagement and high-standard shelters are central, and adoption is actively encouraged.
• Swedish law mandates that dogs can express natural behaviours and live in adequate environments. There's a dedicated governmental oversight body, and harmful practices like tail docking are banned.
• Germany has extensive regulations regarding dogs' environments, walking requirements, and bans on painful collars or prolonged restraint, reflecting one of the most detailed frameworks for companion dog welfare in the world.
• Luxembourg & the United Kingdom are recognised for their laws against cruelty, requirements for safe environments, and public education on responsible dog ownership.

These nations stand out due to their combination of strict legislation, rigorous enforcement, high standards for shelters, mandatory owner education, and public involvement, setting benchmarks for dog welfare globally.