More than 50,000 people from over 22 countries have united in protest against Morocco’s controversial draft animal law, in what campaigners say is the largest ever international mobilisation for dogs in the region.
The global Day-of-Action, organised by the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), took place on Wednesday (August 20) and saw demonstrators gather online and around the world. From London and Paris to Cape Town and New York, protesters demanded that Morocco immediately suspend all legislative processes concerning Draft Law 19.25 and engage in transparent, multi-stakeholder consultation including civil society organisations, animal welfare experts and affected communities. Critics have branded it a “killing charter” for free-roaming dogs.
The draft law claims to regulate the protection of stray animals. But animal welfare groups warn it will instead institutionalise mass culling, criminalise the feeding and care of free-roaming dogs, and ignore proven humane solutions such as sterilisation and vaccination programmes.
The IAWPC’s Morocco Dogs Campaign has been at the forefront of exposing the government’s policy, warning that many thousands of healthy dogs are being shot, poisoned and rounded up and killed every month in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.
Les Ward MBE, chairman of the IAWPC, said: “This incredible show of solidarity proves, if proof was necessary, that the world is watching Morocco. Draft Law 19.25 is not about animal protection, it’s about legalising cruelty on a mass scale. Killing dogs has never worked as a form of population control and never will.
“Instead, Morocco should be embracing humane, effective, and science-led solutions. The sheer scale of support we’ve seen this week sends a clear message: compassion is not a crime.”
Wednesday’s mobilisation drew support from leading animal welfare organisations, including IAWPC members PETA USA and Europe, NSPCA, South Africa, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, France, In Defense of Animals and Network for Animals, USA. Non-coalition groups such as Argos 42, France also joined the campaign.
The action kicked off with a moving video post on X by Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan, who urged Morocco to urgently rethink its inhumane strategy.
Campaigners say the fight is far from over, with the next major action planned for Saturday, August 30, when activists in Morocco will march to the parliament in Rabat to demand that Draft Law 19.25 be urgently changed. People around the world who took part in the Day of Action can show their solidarity by posting photos and messages of support on social media.
“The Moroccan authorities cannot ignore the global outcry against this regressive law,” an IAWPC spokesperson added. “August 20 was a turning point, but August 30 will be the moment to bring that message directly to the gates of power.”
