To the global community, international animal welfare organizations, and all compassionate citizens,

We, the undersigned, call for urgent and sweeping reforms to the treatment and protection of animals in Morocco. This appeal comes at a time when the neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation of animals has reached unprecedented levels, with a clear lack of governance, transparency, and compassion.

Morocco is a country rich in culture, but it is suffering from a growing crisis when it comes to animal welfare. Whether it’s livestock, working animals like donkeys and horses, or the pets that share our homes, the absence of clear laws and responsible oversight is allowing widespread abuse, neglect, and the misuse of public funds.

Although numerous programs and budgets have been allocated by the government for animal welfare, including Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs and resources to support shelters, the reality on the ground tells a very different story. Funds meant to help animals are disappearing due to corruption and mismanagement. What we see instead is a tragic outcome where animals suffer and die unnecessarily.

Dogs: A Heartbreaking Example of the Larger Problem

The plight of stray dogs in Morocco is just one example of this failure. Rather than being cared for or humanely managed, dogs are often rounded up, many of them neutered and vaccinated by self-funded associations, only to be abandoned in deserts or confined in inadequate facilities where they are left to die of starvation, disease, or mistreatment. The cruelty is unthinkable, yet it is only a reflection of the larger, systemic issue facing all animals in our country.

In many cases, even dogs who have been taken in by local or international organizations and properly vaccinated are still being targeted in these brutal campaigns. Meanwhile, those who are responsible for managing the budget assigned to humane programs fail to enforce them, choosing instead to let the suffering continue.

But this issue extends beyond stray dogs. Breeding practices and the import of dog breeds unsuitable for Morocco’s semi-arid climate, like Siberian Huskies and other large, heavy-coated dogs, are exacerbating the problem. These dogs are ill-equipped to handle the extreme temperatures and often suffer from neglect, inadequate training, and poor living conditions. Large breeds are being misused for security purposes, subjected to unregulated and inhumane training methods, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

The Urgent Need for Animal Welfare Laws

We urgently need to establish and enforce clear animal welfare laws in Morocco—laws that protect all animals, whether they are working animals, pets, strays, or livestock. These laws must be robust, transparent, and enforced without compromise.

We demand the following:

1. Proper allocation and oversight of funds intended for TNVR programs and animal shelters to ensure they are used for their intended purposes.
2. A comprehensive animal welfare law that applies to all animals, including stray animals, working animals like donkeys and horses, livestock, and pets.
3. Strict regulations on the breeding and import of dog breeds that are unsuitable for Morocco’s climate, and a ban on the exploitation of dogs for commercial breeding and misuse in security training.
4. Humane training practices for working dogs, including proper education and standards for those who work with animals.
   Penalties for those who neglect, abuse, or abandon animals—whether stray or owned—ensuring that cruelty is met with justice.
5. Government cooperation with animal welfare organizations that have been working tirelessly and without proper support to save lives and ensure humane treatment.
6. Education programs to raise public awareness about responsible animal care, the ethical treatment of animals, and the impact of irresponsible breeding.

A Call for Global Support

We urge not only the Moroccan Parliament but also the global community to stand with us. This is not just a local issue; it is a reflection of how humanity treats its most vulnerable beings.

By signing this petition, you are helping to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for animal welfare reform in Morocco. The lives of countless animals—stray dogs, pets, livestock, and working animals—depend on these changes. We cannot afford to wait any longer while animals suffer due to cruelty, negligence, and corruption.

Join us in demanding justice for animals in Morocco. Together, we can bring about the change they so desperately need.

Sincerely,

Hind Raki.

Animal Welfare Activist - Self-employed

For a closer look at the ongoing situation and to see the daily struggles faced by local animal welfare associations, you can visit these Moroccan social media accounts. These organizations are on the front lines, working tirelessly to save and care for animals in need:

• Morocco Animal Aid 
• 20k sig  by animal soul saver
• Animal Soul Saver
• You Can Save Me Shelter
• Adan tetouan
• Beldiedelsol
• Aide Aux Animaux

and many more.