The Cairo Governorate announced on Tuesday the allocation of a 2.28-acre (approximately 9,500 square meters) plot of land east of the Autostrad Road in the Tebin district to establish a comprehensive shelter for stray dogs.
Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber explained during a meeting of the Governorate’s Executive Council that the project will serve the Tebin and 15th of May City areas and will be managed in coordination with the Veterinary Directorate.
According to a statement from the Governorate, the governor added that the shelter will include facilities for sterilization, vaccination, treatment, and voluntary adoption.
It aims to address the problem of stray dogs wisely, ensuring public safety without compromising animal welfare, the statement added.
A historic move
Professor of Government and Local Administration, Hamdi Arafa, said that the Cairo Governor’s decision is historic and unprecedented since the establishment of local administration.
He added that it will benefit tourist areas and reduce the risk of dog bites to children and the elderly.
Arafa pointed out that the process of gathering dogs in one place where they are vaccinated aims to reduce their population. He explained that official statistics show 430,000 dog bites annually, and that the practice of poisoning dogs by citizens has angered animal rights organizations.
This decision comes amidst a crisis of stray dogs, which have become a daily sight on the streets.
Hospitals recorded more than 190,000 dog bite cases up to November 2025, a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to data from the General Authority for Veterinary Services.
Unofficial estimates suggest there are between 20-30 million stray dogs nationwide, though no accurate count has been conducted.
