Stray Animal Care in Moldova

For decades, stray animals have been a common part of daily life. The country experienced a severe economic downturn, leading to rising unemployment and poverty. Meanwhile, Moldova is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a significant share of the population living below the national poverty line.  

As in many regions facing financial challenges, pets are often abandoned when families can no longer afford to care for them. Combined with a lack of sustainable and humane stray animal management, this has led to a growing population of stray dogs. 

So, it is no surprise that Moldova faces a very high number of (unsterilised) stray dogs with a very rough estimation of thousands of free-roaming dogs living in the capital city, Chișinău, and surrounding areas alone. These dogs will reproduce, resulting in thousands of dogs born on the streets each year. Many of them will die at a young age due to the hardships they must face. 

A high number of public and private shelters operate across Moldova, many of which struggle to provide acceptable standards of care. As a result, large numbers of dogs are housed in inappropriate conditions that fail to meet their welfare needs. At the same time, local (shelter) adoption remains uncommon, although dog ownership is widespread in the country. These challenges highlight that long-term sheltering is not a sustainable or humane solution to the country’s stray dog population. 

The overall welfare of the dogs on the streets as well as in shelters remains a significant concern.  

A path towards change 
As Moldova moves through the accession process towards EU membership, the country is working to align with European animal welfare standards. A new animal welfare law was adopted in 2025 and will enter into force in 2027. However, effective protection and enforcement mechanisms remain limited, underlining the need for continued support and practical solutions. 

Since 2020, there has been renewed hope for stray animals in Moldova. Recognising the urgent need for a humane and sustainable approach to stray dog management, Moldovan authorities turned to FOUR PAWS for support. Faced with limited resources, funding, and technical expertise, the country required practical solutions that could create lasting change. 

Since then, FOUR PAWS has been working closely with local authorities and, since 2021, with its local partner Doctor Vet Moldova to build the foundations of a modern stray animal management programme. This includes establishing spay and neuter clinics, providing veterinary training, improving access to appropriate equipment and medicines, promoting humane animal handling, and introducing best-practice monitoring and evaluation systems. Together, these efforts are helping to create a more sustainable future for Moldova's stray animals and the communities that care for them. 

The journey towards lasting change is still ongoing, but hope is growing. Together with local partners and authorities, FOUR PAWS is helping to create a future in which fewer animals are born on the streets, more dogs receive the care they need, and communities benefit from humane and effective dog population management. By continuing to invest in veterinary care, education and capacity building, we are working towards a better future for Moldova’s stray animals.