My name is Michal, I created this website about 2 years ago. I read an article today that made me furious. The Israeli government approved the use of PAPP poison, that was given to dogs and also harmed wildlife. Before I create this page, I would like to clarify that I support the Israeli government when it comes to fighting our enemies. I do not have leftist political views. However since the animal crisis is escalating; it is my moral obligation to speak up for the animals, even if it contradicts my political views. I will include articles and sources. I am posting this information on 5/July/2025

​

Dog Crisis in Israel

This is the data that I found: In the year 2022 – There were 35,000 stray dogs living in Israel. 60% live in the Negev region. #1

Israel has a stray dog crisis that could have been easily resolved if the Israeli government would have implemented a few steps, that animal rescuers in Israel recommended. However, the government refused to implement the necessary changes and instead chose a cruel & inhumane path. Their actions resemble the behavior of the mayor of Hebron who paid Palestinians to kills dogs. By now, the Israeli government may have even surpassed him in their inhumane behaviors.

​

I will start by explaining what they should have done. To reduce the number stray dogs, they should sterilize the dogs, revoked licenses of dog- breeders, (there is also a problem of illegal dog breeders who are denounced by the government, but they allow breeders with permits to operate freely), Create large animal shelters and encourage adoptions of these dogs. The government could have eliminated tax from veterinarian bills & pet stores to make it more affordable to adopt a dog. (The financial burden is one of the main reasons that Israelis do not adopt, they often surrender their pets for the same reason.)

​

Animal rescuers in Israel dedicate their life to help stray animals, but the numbers are staggering, donations are declining and the government refuses to help. The Agriculture Ministry opposed sterilizing the dogs, when this was the recommended solution by Let the Animals Live. #9 Instead, the Agriculture Ministry decided to shoot stray dogs, euthanize healthy dogs that no one wants and poison the dogs, which also poisons wild animals.#2

​

The Israeli government designated 8.1 million shekels for the years 2024-2025 to deal with the stray dogs, mainly in the Otef Aza region.(Near Gaza) #4 If this money would have been given to animal rescuers, they would have helped the dogs by sterilizing them, creating shelters and rehabilitating them, but instead this money was given to the Agriculture Ministry and the local municipalities, who use the money to buy poison. I am sure that millions of shekels remained, since poison is cheap. Where is this money? It did not go to rescue dogs. Meanwhile the animal rescuers in the Negev are left paying for veterinary bills and struggling to rescue even cute puppies. 

​

Does the Israeli government despise Gaza dogs?

I will first clarify that animal rescuers and Israeli soldiers have rescued many dogs from Gaza. Soldiers often keep the dogs in their tanks for days because they are intent on getting the dogs to Israel and rescue them. I constantly see posts online where soldiers ask for help, trying to save animals for Gaza. For the most part Israelis try to help. Animal rescuers do not care if a dog is originally from Gaza, a Bedouin village, a monastery or a Jewish town, they do their best to rescue all the dogs. The Israeli government on the other hand sees the Gaza dogs (who enter Israel) as an extra annoyance and the conclusion they reached is that killing the dogs is the best way to handle this problem.#10 But they took it too far, not only did the Agriculture Ministry shoot the dogs, but they also poison them. (an extremely cruel practice) 

​

The Agriculture Ministry 

For a moment the Agriculture Ministry acted rationally when they had a campaign to encourage adopting from shelters. They created a campaign that was supposed to air on Television in 2023, asking people to adopt instead of buying dogs. #5 The dog breeders got angry, contested the campaign which was eventually cancelled. This goes to show the power of the breeders in Israeli politics. #6 And its not like the Agriculture Ministry really cares about dogs. They have long history of killing dogs. They planned to shoot dogs in Mizpe Ramon but then the residents contested. This did not stop the Agriculture Ministry from killing dogs in other regions. 

There are also reports of wildlife being poisoned apparently from pesticide although it could be  from poisoning dogs. #8 What is clear is the Agriculture ministry loves killing dogs, wildlife and animals meant for the food industry. This ministry should not be given money to 'solve the dogs crisis' of dogs from Gaza or Israeli dogs. 

​

Let the Animals Live has been an avid campaigner, trying to sterilize and protect stray dogs but its an uphill battle against dark forces. They wrote a report in 2024 for the previous year. In 2023 - thousands of dogs were killed in dog pounds and hundreds of stray dogs were killed by shooting, plus shooting poison arrows at the dogs. #3 In the same year 2024, the government gave the Agriculture Ministry 1.2 million NIS, so they can help 30 municipalities to implement ethical solutions to help dogs get adopted. #7

​

So, my question is; why is the government giving large sums of money to these untrustworthy animal serial killers, instead of giving the money to Let the Animals Live and other animal rescue organizations?  And again, I question whether this money helped the dogs or ended up paying for bullets and poison.

​

In conclusion, the Israeli government needs to give money directly to animal rescuers who care about the dogs. They understand the problem and the way to resolve the crisis. It is too late for those who were brutally murdered and poisoned, but there are still thousands of dogs and puppies who need help. In addition, international animal rescue groups should let go of their bias against Israel and get involved. Visit this page to Learn more: Let the Animals Live.

 

Sources

1) כלב רחוב – ויקיפדיה – numbers of stray dogs

​

2) Cruel & Dangerous: Animal rights groups against poisoning of stray dogs

 ​אכזרי ומסוכן: ארגוני בעלי חיים נגד ההיתר להרעלת כלבים משוטטים

אכזרי ומסוכן: ארגוני בעלי חיים נגד ההיתר להרעלת כלבים משוטטים | ישראל היום

 21/5/2025

​​

3) The agriculture ministry is making it easier to get permits to shoot stray dogs. Is this the best solution?

משרד החקלאות הקל את הירי בכלבים משוטטים. האם זה הפתרון הטוב ביותר?

https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001496796

​

4) Stray dogs - budget for municipalities in southern & northern Israel

 כלבים משוטטים – תקציב ייעודי לטיפול רשויות בדרום ובצפון הארץ – כאן ישראל | kanisrael | כאן נעים | kan-naim

 

5) Adopt, don’t buy campaign ,2023

כלב לא קונים, כלב מאמצים! משרד החקלאות וביטחון המזון

 

6) Breeders angry at the campaign

הרשות השנייה נכנעה למגדלי כלבים גזעיים - והתערבה בקמפיין המעודד אימוץ | כלכליסט

 

​7) Helping dogs 2024

מיזם למציאת בית חם לאלפי כלבים משוטטים • רגישות – הבית הדיגיטלי של מתמודדות ומתמודדים עם מוגבלויות בישראל

 

8) Mass poisoning of birds in the Negev

https://www.ynet.co.il/environment-science/article/rjr3sakk1l

 

9) Let animals live – read important article

הרג המוני של כלבים משוטטים באזור הדרום - תנו לחיות לחיות

​

10) Feral dogs from Gaza

Feral dogs from Gaza enter Israel, compounding nature authority's war woes | The Times of Israel