After years of active participation in an animal welfare program, Bhutan has proudly declared the successful sterilization and vaccination of all its street dogs. According to DownToEarth, this achievement follows 14 years of efforts by Humane Society International (HSI), which initiated a dog population control program in 2009 to spay/neuter and vaccinate Bhutan's street dog population.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering made this remarkable announcement at the conclusion of the National Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Project in Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. He revealed that over 150,000 street dogs underwent sterilization and vaccination, and approximately 32,000 domesticated dogs were also microchipped.

Dogs in Bhutan share a close bond with humans, with some serving as essential farm helpers. In the past, the dog population was naturally regulated by factors like harsh weather conditions and natural predators. However, the rapid urban development of Bhutan's cities, coupled with the illegal sale of meat leading to waste, caused the dog population to spiral out of control.

Tourists and locals alike began to complain about the escalating noise and presence of stray dogs in Thimpu, as reported by Dogster. In response, a team led by Rahul Sehgal, HSI's Asia director, was brought in to address the overpopulation issue. In just four months, Sehgal and his team successfully sterilized 4,000 dogs, significantly reducing the number of strays.

The impressive results prompted Bhutanese officials to allocate substantial funding, enabling the extension of the project nationwide. Thirty-five Bhutanese veterinarians were trained in high-volume, high-quality sterilization techniques. Community outreach initiatives were also implemented to educate locals on dog welfare and ways to minimize human-dog conflicts.

Prime Minister Tshering, commending the community volunteers and workers involved, emphasized the significance of this accomplishment, stating, "This might seem like a small step, but it will go a long way in nation-building."