Event Summary
On 15 November 2025, the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries issued a landmark instruction to all walis, ordering the immediate and permanent halt of stray animal killing campaigns across municipalities. The directive bans shooting, poisoning, and beating—previously described as “savage and disorderly”—and mandates humane alternatives such as rabies vaccination, sterilization, and temporary shelters, in line with international standards. This policy shift follows weeks of intense advocacy by civil society actors, including veterinarians, animal protection associations, and citizens. Mobilization efforts ranged from petitions and digital campaigns (#StopGaloufaEnAlgérie) to free vaccination drives and direct engagement with the Minister, demanding humane solutions like TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and shelter creation. While the ministry does not officially credit these actions, it acknowledges a “broad debate within civil society” and criticism from international organizations—clear evidence that structured citizen pressure influenced this decision. This move marks a significant improvement in Algeria’s approach to animal welfare and demonstrates the power of coordinated civil society advocacy to drive policy change, reinforcing the enabling environment for civic engagement.
Cependant, l’effet de l’événement est toujours en cours :
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les communes doivent adapter leurs pratiques (arrêt des campagnes de tirs ou d’empoisonnement, mise en place de solutions alternatives) ;
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les acteurs de la société civile suivent de près la mise en œuvre (documentation, signalement des violations, dialogue avec les autorités locales) ;