The government, concerned about a growing overpopulation of dogs and cats in the countrydecreed the creation of the National Reproductive Control Program (PNCR) and ordered the Mandatory sterilization of all dogs and cats, of both sexes and throughout the national territoryso that control the reproduction of these species and move towards a population balance.
As will be seen later, There are some exceptions to that requirement.indicated in a decree of the Executive Power in which three ministries are involved: Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of the Interior.
It is understood that there is currently a notorious overpopulation in both dogs and cats, estimated by unofficial sources in about two million copies in each case, dogs and cats.
The NGO Animales sin Hogar celebrated this decision. He praised what was done by the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pouand recalled that he did the same when a few years ago another president, Tabaré Vázquez, banned greyhound racing.
“Hopefully we get to see a Uruguay without overpopulation of dogs and cats (…) and who knows… maybe in 20 years some will see a Uruguay without animal abuse,” the NGO said on its Twitter social network account.
The MANDATORY sterilization of ALL dogs and cats in Uruguay was decreed!!!
By means of a Presidential decree, the mandatory sterilization of all dogs and cats in Uruguay has just been decreed, a Reproductive Control Program is created… pic.twitter.com/YUihgamyVm
– Homeless Animals (@ASHcomUY) February 22, 2023
Critical situation
The decree states, among the considerations, that “The country is in a critical situation“, alluding to the number of dogs and cats. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a relationship of one pet for every 10 inhabitants and the reality in Uruguay significantly exceeds that limit.
“This high relationship would undermine the welfare of the animals and responsible ownership, increasing the probability of abandonment on public roads with the health and economic risks that this implies (attacks on people, production animals, wildlife and other animals, accident rate, disease transmission and impact on the environment)”, it is argued.
The PNCR will act within the National Institute of Animal Welfare (INBA) of the MGAP, which will prioritize serving areas with the highest population of dogs and cats and will coordinate operations with departmental and municipal governments and institutions from the public and private sectors that are considered to be involved.
“Sterilization procedures will be carried out in accordance with national and international standards and respecting ethical guidelines.”
The INBA may rescue or capture dogs and cats that are on public roadsto sterilize, identify and register them, through procedures that contemplate animal welfare.
those animals, when they are not claimed by their responsible holder, they may be given up for adoption or they will remain in a shelter.
The sterilization of all dogs and cats in the national territory, their identification by means of a microchip and registration in the National Registry of Companion Animals (Renac) are procedures considered mandatory.
Excluded from the obligation to sterilize animals from breeders who request it with due grounds and animals in which this intervention puts their lives at risk, endorsed by a professional veterinarian.
This exception to sterilization does not extend to the other requirements: microchip identification and registration at Renac.
Another content in the government’s decision is that there will be information campaigns and the five freedoms recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health will be disseminated (OIE):
- Free from hunger and thirst.
- Free from fears and anxieties.
- Free from disease and stress.
- Free of physical discomfort and thermal discomfort.
- Free to express the normal behavior of the species.
Next, the decree approved by the government.
