Stray dogs in Romania are multiplying at alarming rates. There are an estimated 2.5 million stray dogs in Romania—one of the highest stray populations in the world.The most effective—and humane—solution to prevent stray dogs from multiplying is sterilization. ROLDA sterilizes approx 1000 dogs each year. This is a small number by comparison, but by sterilizing one dog we are saving thousands more from unnecessary suffering and death.

According to PETA, “Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years.” Every day, millions of stray dogs die from hunger, disease, abuse,
and neglect. We at ROLDA believe that this is a problem that can be controlled, solved, and avoided by sterilization.

Euthanizing a healthy dog is both unethical and inhumane. The World Health Organization (WHO) now recognizes that euthanizing mass populations of dogs to combat stray overpopulation only produces short-term effects. Even maximal catching rates (up to 24% of dog population per year) make no significant impact because other strays will eventually migrate into the “swept” area to fill the ecological niche.

The only humane solution to end stray dog overpopulation is sterilization.

What is sterilization? A routine surgical procedure that can prevent thousands of unwanted puppies from being born. Neutering is the sterilization of male dogs, and spaying is the sterilization of female dogs.

ROLDA’s Policy about earliest age for sterilization. Pet dogs may be neutered as early as 7-8 weeks with no adverse effects on their physical and social development, because they are not exposed to the same stresses and hazards as a free ranging street pup. Hence, the decision has
been made not to neuter street pups until they are at least 3-4 months old because they are not independent of (and maybe should not be separated from) adult care until they are 3-4 months old.