Egypt starts campaign of ‘Vaccination of Stray Dogs’

CAIRO – 31 January 2026: As part of efforts to adopt sustainable, science-based solutions to protect citizens and preserve the environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has launched the National Campaign for the Sterilization and Vaccination of Stray Dogs.

So far, the campaign has vaccinated 4,517 dogs against rabies and sterilized 445 dogs across several governorates, in line with the national strategy’s goal of achieving an “Egypt Free of Rabies by 2030.”

To further enhance public safety, the Ministry of Health and Population has issued important guidelines for individuals who are scratched or bitten by an animal. The recommended steps are as follows:

·       Thoroughly clean the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes as soon as possible.

·       Visit the nearest hospital equipped with a rabies prevention center to receive the necessary treatment, which includes four doses administered over 14 days following the bite.

·       Contact the Ministry of Health and Population’s unified hotline at 105, or the ambulance hotline at 123, for assistance.

The phenomenon of the increasing number of the stray dogs became annoying for some people, especially those who are allergic and afraid of dogs. According to the Ministry of Health’s statement in January, about 1.4 million people have been bitten by stray dogs in only 2025. 

That is why Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, has announced last week the launch of the first integrated shelter for stray dogs. He added that the construction will be a fully equipped facility to house, treat, vaccinate, and sterilize stray dogs. This comes within cooperation with the General Authority for Veterinary Services.

Hussain Abdel Rahman Abu Saddam, an agricultural expert and head of the Farmers' Syndicate, stated on December 23, 2025 that the number of stray dogs in Egypt is estimated at approximately 11 million. Abu Saddam emphasized that dogs typically bite only when infected with rabies or when provoked.

Dr. Mohamed El-Husseini Awad, Director of the General Administration for Animal Welfare and Licensing at the Ministry of Agriculture, has outlined the gap between Egypt’s current stray dog population and international averages. He stated that official estimates currently being finalized by the Ministry indicate the presence of approximately 11 million stray dogs nationwide.

Speaking during a seminar with Youm7, Dr. Awad explained the international standards used to determine appropriate dog population levels. He noted that globally accepted guidelines recommend that dogs constitute around 6% of a country’s total population. Based on Egypt’s population of approximately 120 million, he said, the number aligned with international standards would be about 7.5 million dogs to maintain ecological and social balance. He added that current estimates place Egypt’s dog population between 10 and 12 million.

Dr. Awad clarified that these figures indicate Egypt’s dog population exceeds the global average by roughly 30 percent. He emphasized that the figure of 11 million represents the baseline adopted by the Ministry in formulating its plans and initiating their implementation on the ground.