Like many countries in the wake of the financial downturn and with large transient populations, Bahrain has seen an increase in the number of stray dogs in recent years.

Complaints have been written to the press and it’s best to avoid packs but until now the BSPCA (Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has been unable to assist due to lack of staff, funds and suitable premises.

Now recent discussions with the municipalities, ministries and the Animal Welfare Directorate have given the go ahead for the BSPCA to conduct a nationwide catch, neuter and return project, thought to be the first of its kind in the region, to stop the strays breeding and treat the problem close to source.

A major UK canine welfare charity (we can’t say who yet) is on board to help, but to get things moving they need public help to survey the feral dog population.

The society is running seven-day surveys between July 3-7 and August 1-8, so if you have stray dogs living near you or see them daily please call the dedicated number (36 434 245) or email bspca@hotmail.com.

They need to know the location of the dogs (road number or name, block number, area or landmark), the number of dogs and whether they’re puppies, juvenile or adult.

There’s lots of information, including a survey form to download, to help the BSPCA in this task on www.bspca.org and there’ll be updates on the society’s facebook page.

The purpose of the project is of course population control. To neuter as many of the island’s strays as possible to stop them breeding, returning the docile and healthy dogs to their own area and dealing humanely with those that are too feral, sick or injured to be returned.

The aim is that once all the major packs on the island have been dealt with it will become easier to deal with the ones that evade the traps and eventually the problem of strays will virtually disappear.

If you want to get involved call the shelter on (17 591 231) or contact the email above.

The organisation is also expecting to open its new purpose-built shelter - lots of air-con, not neighbours to worry about the noise, at the begninning of August and it’s been a long time coming.