How come there are no stray dogs in Germany?  How can every dog get caring?  How come there isn¡¦t any dog begging for food on the street?  How come they don¡¦t need the catching-dog brigade even if they have eight million dogs?  How come they don¡¦t need to legalize mercy killing for controlling the dog numbers unless a dog is too sick to cure? 

     One factor is that they implement Animal Protection Act.  According to the law, the one who litters a dog can be fined one hundred thousand dollars.  The one who maltreats dogs can be put into jail for two years in maximum.  The German police is responsible for monitoring and picketing the violators.  For example, if a dog is found tied with an iron chain or locked in a room whose temperature is too low, evidence will be gathered by the police to sue the dog owners.  This is quite different from Taiwan¡¦s concerned authorities which would escape from their own responsibilities and then leave the matter unsettled. 

     The pet shops in Germany never sell dogs.  Animal Feeding System regulates the space where dogs can exercise and rest, the temperature, humidity, light, and building materials.  The pet shops can¡¦t provide such a good-quality place for dogs, so they can¡¦t keep and sell dogs.  The puppy nursery should follow the same regulations. In addition, the breeding number is under control.  A female dog can¡¦t give birth more than twice.  Some dogs such as wolfdogs can¡¦t be mated until eight years old.  The breeding numbers of Belgium wolfdogs mustn¡¦t be over seventy every year in Germany.  Thanks to the limited numbers and health qualities, dogs can be sold at a higher price.  This benefits not only the nursery but also dogs, and reduces the burden of the whole society. 

     The animal shelters are managed by public interest groups, so the government subsidizes them.  They also raise money from their members.  The adopters are charged with service fee.  If the adopters are confronted with death, sickness, unemployment, or bankruptcy, and cannot but return dogs to the shelter, they also need to pay for it or make some donations. 

     If they would like to keep a dog in Germany, they usually adopt it in the shelter, but the adopters need to pass some assessments, including your motive, experiences in keeping dogs, your house space, and your economy.  Those who pass and adopt will be tracked and checked by animal protection volunteers.  This is a way to avoid selling dogs privately or changing its owners.

     ¡§Never find pleasure in maltreating animals.  They feel the same as how you feel.¡¨ Everyone in Germany, even the children, can recite the sentences.  The teachers also tell kids not to ask a pet as their birthday or Christmas gift.  This is their successful education.

     The government in Germany saves money from catching and killing dogs, but spends money on supervising and controlling dog numbers and even sponsor the shelters.

The author of the article: Tsai, Dan-Chiau  

Information origin: Animal Rescue Team Taiwan