Jordan is a developing country with a weak economic system; as a result, a majority of the population lives in poor and endangered environments. Due to the overwhelming economic struggles, the country’s animals suffer from poor living and safety conditions. Cultural and religious views paint animals to be unclean, unsafe and something to steer clear of, particularly for dogs. Even pet owners often lack the knowledge of proper care for dogs.
Animal abuse is prominent across Jordan. Offenses include mistreatment, cruel training, children roughly playing with animals, torture, mass killing and poisoning. Another one of the most common types of abuse is neglect. Animals are often left outside all day or year round, are chained or tied up and are given food that is poisonous or disease ridden.
Due to the country’s lack of population control, the streets are flooded with stray animals who, through no fault of their own, die at a young age from diseases, car accidents and a lack of proper nutrition. The current solutions for these animals are mass killing and poisoning; a more effective and less cruel solution would be to trap, neuter and return.
Another issue with Jordan’s animal welfare crisis is the stealing and resale of domestic and farm animals which are then sold on social media in addition to outdoor black markets in Amman. The reason behind this is because animals are viewed solely as economic goods in Jordan. The community lacks proper knowledge to effectively treat and care for these animals, and, as a result, they are used to make profits even if that means endangering them in the process.
Jordan’s animal welfare laws are outdated, with the last update occurring in the 1960s. The current laws are not strict enough; abusers are never prosecuted either financially or legally. The government funding for animal welfare in this country is also non-existent.
We are Canaan Dog Alliance, the first U.S. based non-profit animal rescue organization solely focused on rescuing stray dogs from Jordan’s animal welfare crisis. Our mission is to provide as many stray cats and dogs in the Middle East with the second chance at life that they deserve.
We work to unite people of all ages and backgrounds who share in the belief of a world where animals are free from cruel and inhumane treatment. Canaan Dog Alliance is run by members who passionately believe in advocating for the voiceless and offer a united, amplified voice for all who join our community.
We not only rescue and rehabilitate animals from suffering, but also work with our sister organization in the region to support their efforts in educating the public on the pressing issues regarding animal welfare in the Middle East.
Visit our website and our Facebook and Instagram pages to learn more about our efforts and how you can help support our mission.
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