The Netherlands or Germany managed to leave zero for years. In fact, the Netherlands is considered the first country not to leave the European Union. To understand this situation and the important difference that exists with Spain, it is necessary to begin by emphasizing a fundamental issue. All these countries have been fighting for the protection of animals since the 19th century. For example, in the Netherlands, the first office to protect them was established in The Hague in 1864, and the first shelter for abandoned animals was opened in 1877.

In Spain, however, it was not until 1 July 1927 that the government forced municipalities to collect abandoned animals. He did this by issuing a royal warrant. The purpose of this was to stop the number of cases of rabies infection occurring.

On the contrary, in the Netherlands in 1886, punishments began to be applied to harassers. Also, unlike Spain, which has just ratified it, the first national laws on animal health, protection and welfare were born there in the mid-20th century. Many other aspects were encouraged by these laws. For example, a lot of work has been done to raise awareness and gradually animals are seen as part of the family.

On the other hand, among the taxes paid for owning animals there, the ownership of non-breed and abandoned animals has always been encouraged, thus reducing the cost of paying for them.

They also have a special police force to prosecute animal abuse and of course they run free sterilization campaigns for both shelters and individuals. This last one is very important.

The result is that the Netherlands, like other European countries, is not abandoned. In our country, on the contrary, all of the above is science fiction. About half a million animals are abandoned here each year, the number always suspected to be much higher, but in any case it’s already embarrassingly overwhelming.