Cairo has taken a significant step towards addressing the issue of stray dogs by opening its first specialised shelter, designed to provide humane care for the animals while safeguarding public health and safety.
Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber inaugurated the new model shelter for stray animals in the industrial zone of 15th of May City on Monday, in the presence of Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad and Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk.
Saber said the project aimed to provide a safe and healthy environment for dealing with stray dogs in accordance with modern scientific standards, striking a balance between protecting public safety and upholding animal welfare principles.
The shelter represents the first practical model for tackling the spread of stray dogs in the streets through internationally recognised modern methods.
It aims to protect the community and ensure public safety without harming the animals, while preventing their uncontrolled spread in co-operation with relevant authorities and civil society organisations concerned with animal welfare.
Covering an area of 2,000 square metres, the shelter can accommodate more than 600 dogs in fully equipped and secured housing units.
It also houses a fully equipped veterinary clinic offering comprehensive medical examinations, sterilisation procedures and vaccinations against rabies. The facility includes recovery rooms and dedicated areas for medical care and temporary accommodation until the animals recover.
A specialised team of veterinarians and trained workers will ensure that the dogs receive proper nutrition and daily healthcare, while handling them humanely.
During the inauguration, Awad and Saber said the project would serve as a starting point for extending the experience to other governorates, striking a balance between protecting citizens’ safety and implementing animal welfare programmes in line with approved environmental and health standards.
