A year after launching its global campaign to end the mass killing of around 3million dogs in Morocco, the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has announced a major breakthrough, submitting a rewritten draft of Morocco’s controversial Draft Law 19.25 with support from FIFA.
The redrafted law has been produced by an international expert panel convened by the IAWPC, bringing together leading animal welfare, legal, and policy specialists from across the world. It has now been formally sent to the Moroccan authorities for consideration.
The move follows a year of growing global outrage after footage and reports revealed the mass culling of street dogs and cats in Moroccan cities ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country is due to co-host.
Morocco’s Law 19.25, currently being debated in Parliament, has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare groups for criminalising compassion. Under the draft, citizens could face fines or prosecution for feeding or caring for stray animals, an approach that campaigners warn will fuel suffering rather than resolve the problem.
The IAWPC’s alternative redraft instead recognises animals as sentient beings and sets out three core principles: to promote animal welfare, prevent cruelty, and minimise suffering. It promotes humane, science-based methods of population management such as sterilisation, vaccination, and education programmes, in line with World Health Organisation guidance.
In a statement marking the campaign’s first anniversary, IAWPC lead campaigner Debbie Wilson said: “With the support of FIFA, the IAWPC formed an expert panel with animal welfare, protection and legal experts from around the world.
“The redraft of the law is grounded in recognition of animals as sentient beings. Our version does not criminalise compassion — it promotes community engagement.”
The IAWPC now represents more than 80 member organisations worldwide, including the RSPCA, PETA, and Dogs Trust, and has received high-profile backing from celebrities and advocates such as the late Dr Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, and Peter Egan.
While it remains to be seen whether Morocco will adopt the rewritten legislation, campaigners say the submission marks a vital step forward in the fight to replace cruelty with compassion.
