The last Tuesday in February is recognised globally as World Spay Day, which highlights the need to address the thousands of free-roaming dogs around the globe through humane dog population management programmes.

Mayhew has participated in World Spay Day initiatives for many years. Yesterday (22 February), our Mayhew Afghanistan team surpassed their previous World Spay Day achievements.

On World Spay Day, the veterinary and animal care teams of Mayhew Afghanistan neutered a record-breaking 122 Kabul street dogs! This is part of our ongoing city-wide Trap, Neuter, Release programme for the free-roaming dogs of Kabul, which runs parallel to our mass canine rabies vaccination programme delivered across the city.

Despite the upheavals of recent months in Afghanistan, Mayhew’s objective has been to continue to deliver these vital programmes to improve the welfare of both the dogs and residents of Kabul. Following a temporary suspension after the change in government in August 2021, our programmes resumed at a reduced capacity in September 2021 and were then able to build up to our regular capacity in December 2021.

Mayhew Afghanistan’s clinical team is made up of nine vets and assistants, who are supported by a team of drivers and an admin assistant. All of our teams in Kabul are led by Mayhew Afghanistan’s Country Director, Dr Mohammadzai DVM, who’s been the recipient of several awards for his animal welfare work in the country. Animal care assistants, support staff and dog-catchers from Kabul Municipality are seconded to Mayhew to receive training in humane handling and restraint, animal welfare and both pre and post-operative care for the dogs.

Mayhew Afghanistan’s five year Trap, Neuter, Return strategy for Kabul began in July 2019 and as of the end of January 2022 the team has neutered more than 23,000 dogs in the city. This work is beginning to have a long-term positive impact on both the dogs and people of Kabul.

We’d like to thank Fondation Brigitte Bardot and our Mayhew supporters for their generosity in making this lifesaving TNR programme a reality.

Find out more about our work in Afghanistan.