Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli chaired a meeting on Monday in New Alamein to follow up on the government’s integrated approach to managing stray dogs, stressing the need for scientific and organised solutions that balance public health, citizen safety and environmental considerations.
The meeting, attended by ministers of health, local development and environment, agriculture and housing, as well as representatives from the military academy, reviewed current data on bite incidents, vaccine availability and veterinary measures. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar outlined efforts to ensure rapid medical response, while Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk presented a national plan for dealing with stray and abandoned animals, emphasising institutional coordination and community partnerships.
The plan involves cooperation among multiple ministries and agencies, including veterinary services, health directorates, police, local government, universities, environmental bodies and civil society organisations. It is based on prevention, rapid response and coordination, with measures such as public awareness campaigns, safe handling programmes, improved reporting systems and the establishment of shelters.
Local Development and Environment Minister Manal Awad reported that governorates have prepared centres to house stray animals, while Housing Minister Randa El-Menshawy said 40 shelters have been set up in new cities in cooperation with NGOs.
Government spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsany noted that international experiences were reviewed, showing the effectiveness of comprehensive programmes in controlling stray animal populations. Madbouly instructed continuous evaluation of measures and close coordination among agencies to ensure sustainable management of the issue.
