Every year, the third Saturday of August (falling on August 15 this year) is observed worldwide as World Stray Animals Day.
Sea-news.az reports that this initiative was first put forward in 1992 by the International Society for Animal Rights. This date is not a holiday, but an opportunity to draw attention to the difficult fate of animals living on the streets, human responsibility in the problem of uncontrolled reproduction, and to help stray dogs and cats through charitable campaigns.
The first known dog shelter in the world was established in Japan in 1695 (housing 50,000 animals). The first law protecting animals from cruelty was adopted in Great Britain in 1822. Austrian legislation bans the cropping of dogs’ ears and tails, the use of wild animals in circuses, and the sale of puppies and kittens in pet store windows.
Sterilization is the primary humane method for regulating the population of stray animals. On the occasion of this day, many veterinary clinics organize free sterilization campaigns. A center operating in Baku implements major projects in the examination, sterilization, vaccination, and adoption of stray animals.
The “Care Center for Stray Animals” public legal entity, established in 2025, deals with the inpatient treatment, registration, vaccination of animals, and ensuring sanitary-epidemiological stability. In July, a regional branch of the Stray Animal Care Center was commissioned in the city of Yevlakh with the participation of Leyla Aliyeva, the founder and head of the IDEA Public Union. Thanks to its favorable geographical location, the center ensures a prompt response to requests coming from surrounding districts.
