Appeal: Help stop the killing of homeless dogs and cats in Morocco!
In 2019, following King Mohammed VI's directive to end Morocco's long-standing practice of euthanizing homeless dogs and cats, authorities entered into an agreement to discontinue these killings. However, this commitment was not upheld. In the lead-up to the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament held in Morocco in February 2023, the ruthless culling of these animals resumed, as evidenced by horrific video footage.
Men armed with rifles brazenly gunned down dogs in the presence of appalled onlookers, including children.
Some unfortunate animals were poisoned, while others endured the horrors of being burned alive.
Dogs and their vulnerable puppies, separated from their mothers, were confined in overcrowded cages (with 10 to 20 animals per small enclosure), devoid of sustenance, water, or essential medical attention, deliberately left to perish in so-called "shelters" scattered across the nation.
One media outlet even reported that the mass killings were executed in Tangier under the pretext of "beautifying" the city for the soccer tournament.
As the announcement of the hosts for the 2030 World Cup approaches, scheduled for September 2024 following a vote by roughly 200 member federations, Morocco has partnered with neighboring nations Spain and Portugal in an intercontinental bid. However, the predicament for homeless animals in Morocco is poised to deteriorate further, as the government purportedly intends to eliminate a staggering 99% of the nation's homeless dog population, estimated at around 3 million animals, in pursuit of hosting the 2030 World Cup.
While authorities have cited public health concerns as justification for the mass culling, it is worth noting that when the 2019 agreement was signed, they also committed to launching a trap, neuter, vaccinate, and release (TNVR) initiative, a crucial program designed to alleviate the homeless animal crisis and curtail rabies spread. Disappointingly, the government has failed to honor this commitment as well. In stark contrast, charitable organizations across Morocco have taken it upon themselves to address the issue, having treated, neutered, vaccinated, and tagged more than 6,000 homeless dogs and cats in recent years alone.
Salima Sally Kadaoui from SFT Animal Sanctuary removing a tagged dog from the area around the MEDays venue in Tangier
PETA has received distressing reports indicating that authorities have resorted to euthanizing dogs that had been tagged and had undergone the TNVR program. We urgently appeal for a compassionate response to the homeless animal crisis.
By writing to the Moroccan interior ministry and requesting an immediate end to the atrocity, you may contribute to ending the slaughter.