The Netherlands is a Dog’s Best Friend The Netherlands just might be the best country in the world to be a dog. Nearly 20% of Dutch families have a pet dog, and it’s the first country to be officially without any stray dogs. Every year, about 5,000 dogs show up in the pet shelters in the Netherlands. These dogs are usually given to the shelter because their owner is in poor health and cannot care for them any more. Dutch dog shelters are among the best in the world, with excellent heating,
medicine,
staff,
and
sufficient
resources to care for the dogs. In fact, Dutch shelters often import stray dogs from other countries in Europe to help them find forever homes in the Netherlands. The Dutch take pet care seriously. The first animal protection agency in the country was established in 1864, and animal abuse was made criminal in 1962. Abusing or mistreating an animal can be punished by a prison sentence of up to three years, or a fine of up to â‚Ź16,750. The Dutch view animal abuse as a social problem, and protect dogs like they would any other citizen, and even has an animal welfare political party. If you want to adopt a dog in the Netherlands, expect some scrutiny. The shelter will want to make sure that you have the ability to care for a dog emotionally as well as financially. If you are a dog in the Netherlands, woof woof scritch scritch good dog.
