Dog population management in Malawi and Peru

Abstract: The aim of the study was to look into the implementation of guidelines of dogpopulation management (DPM), published by WHO & WSPA, ICAM-coalitionand OIE, in Malawi and Peru. Fieldstudies with interviews with representatives ofauthorities, international organizations and local NGOs were conducted in thesetwo countries. The conclusions from the inteviews were that guidelines are onlypartially implemented in both countries, but the problems differ in between. Nocomprehensive national plan for DPM exist in either country and there are noexecutive group taking full responsibility. In Malawi a NGO have taken theresponsibilty to try to pilot a program and involve authorities to coordinate andharmonize there work. However, lack of information about the dog populationand the rabies situation as well as lack of resources, makes it very difficult tosucceed with DPM. Insufficient information also makes it difficult to evaluate anyrabies vaccination program. In Peru on the other hand, they have good knowledgeabout the number of dogs and have also succeeded very well in rabies control.Even if they lack an executive working group, they have a legisltaion supportingDPM and a direction working with eg. education programs for children. Theyhave a comprehensive rabies program which shows that rabies control is indeedpossible but instead they have other problems with diseases as echinococcosis. Inboth countries reproduction control is totally dependent on the work done byNGOs. The need is overwhelming and cost-benefit analysis very important whenresources are limited.