Our global work
We're making big, positive and sustainable changes in dog welfare across the world.
During our 130 years, as well as working to improve the lives of dogs in the UK, we’ve also established a global Dogs Trust community, sharing our expertise around the world. We run and support projects in lots of countries, working proactively with local organisations to address the dog welfare issues that most need our help. By sharing our knowledge, expertise and support we’re helping to make big, positive and sustainable changes to dog welfare.
What do we do?
Our main areas of focus are:
- Rabies prevention. Rabies is a preventable disease but tragically it still kills 59,000 people every year around the world. 99% of all cases are caused by dog bites so vaccinating dogs is the most effective way to prevent those human deaths. So far, we've vaccinated more than two million dogs worldwide.
- Humane dog population management. In many countries around the world, roaming dogs are a significant problem. Uncontrolled breeding means puppies are abandoned to grow up on the streets. Many of these dogs are cared for by the community, but they don’t always get treatment when they’re ill or injured. To tackle this, we run mass Catch Neuter Vaccinate Return (CNVR) programmes. Dogs are humanely caught, neutered and vaccinated, and then returned to their communities. This means the dogs live healthier, better lives with no uncontrolled breeding.
- Veterinary training. We help upskill vets around the world so that more dogs have access to safe vet care.
- Community education and support. We help communities to live safely alongside dogs, through education in schools and community outreach.
Projects we support
Soi Dog Foundation, Thailand
Since 2016, we've been working with Soi Dog Foundation in Greater Bangkok, aiming to sterilise 80% of the roaming dog population. We want to reduce rabies cases, improve dog welfare, and help humans and dogs live happily alongside each other.
Our ten mobile clinics, which work across Greater Bangkok, can neuter and spay 100,000 dogs per year. We’ve covered 80% of the area already and seen incredible results. Breeding has reduced significantly, meaning fewer roaming dogs. And there are visible signs of improvement in dog welfare, with fewer thin and emaciated dogs on the street. Rabies cases have also dropped and communities are less troubled by roaming dogs.
Due to the success of the programme, we’ve been running a similar programme in Chonburi province. And we have plans to start to work in four more areas.
Dogstar Foundation, Sri Lanka
Since 2014, we've funded Dogstar Foundation’s dog population management programme in Gampaha District. The aim is to spay and neuter 80% of the area by 2033, to establish a smaller and healthier dog population, which lives happily with the local community. Our mobile clinic can spay and neuter around 10,000 dogs per year, and we are adding another clinic to the programme so we can reach more dogs.
We also work with local government to help them sustain the programme long-term. And to serve as a model for a nationwide programme.
International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM)
In many countries, dog population management doesn’t get the sustained government funding it needs to be effective. This can lead to ‘cheap’, short term and inhumane methods being used. Which means more dogs suffer malnutrition, disease and injury. And communities live in fear of bites and rabies.
Since 2024, we’ve been supporting ICAM to tackle this, in partnership with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. We’re helping organisations develop their monitoring and evaluation, so they can build a strong evidence base for change and improve their ability to advocate the benefits of effective dog population management to local and national governments. We work with ICAM to create and improve accessible tools and guidance, so governments can get to work making a difference for dogs.
Helping dogs around the world
Ireland
As Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust Ireland plays a vital role in improving the lives of dogs. We campaign, lobby and run education work in every county in Ireland. We work with communities across the country to inspire and motivate people to take action for dog welfare. And our Dublin-based rehoming centre finds happy homes for hundreds of dogs every year.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
We’ve been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2012, supporting local authorities to tackle their stray dog problem. Our work has included mass neutering campaigns, a vet training programme in Sarajevo, responsible dog ownership education, fostering to local adoption and dog training. We’ve helped neuter over 100,000 dogs, trained over 500 vets, and reached over 400,000 children with dog safety education.
USA
Our affiliate organisation, Dogs Trust USA was launched in 2018 to help tackle the biggest issues in dog welfare across the U.S. and around the globe. Our work is focused on making sure every dog, wherever they are, can live a safe, happy, and healthy life. From supporting spay/neuter programmes, to improving access to quality veterinary care, and helping eliminate rabies, we’re making a real difference for dogs every day whilst creating sustainable change in communities where dogs are most at risk.
Help us reach more dogs worldwide
We know that our international work is a powerful force for good in dog welfare. Our mission is to collaborate far and wide, and make sure we benefit as many dogs as possible:
- to change attitudes and behaviours
- to introduce sustainable and humane dog population management practices
- to work towards permanently eradicating canine-mediated rabies and
- to raise dog welfare standards globally.
Will you support our work to make this happen?
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