Large numbers of stray dogs, frequent abandonment and overcrowded shelters: the facts, plus what to do if you see an animal in trouble, how to support local charities and how to adopt responsibly.
As a visitor, you'll almost certainly notice the stray dogs. Reunion Island has a long-standing problem with strays and animal cruelty, mostly involving dogs, driven by three factors that feed each other: overpopulation, frequent abandonment and low neutering rates. The local press (Imaz Press, Clicanoo, Réunion la 1ère) regularly reports on individual cases, but the root causes run deeper.
Several charities are active on the ground. The APEBA (Association pour l Éducation à la Bienveillance Animale) runs prevention programmes in schools and supports responsible adoption. SPA Réunion runs two shelters (Saint-Pierre, Saint-André). Adopt'Animal Réunion and ARK Animal Réunion organise rescues, foster families and transfers to mainland France. On the government side, the prefecture regularly organises free neutering campaigns for low-income households, working with local councils and partner vets.
This page covers six key facts, how to report a case in six common situations, the charities doing the work, French law (tougher since November 2021), neutering, responsible adoption and a detailed FAQ.
Six points that come up again and again in charity reports and local press coverage.
Charities and the local press agree there are tens of thousands of stray dogs at any one time, with some studies putting the figure above 100,000. Three factors feed each other: overpopulation, frequent abandonment and few family dogs being neutered.
Charities record hundreds of reported abandonments every year, not counting dogs quietly let loose in the countryside. The worst months: February-March (unwanted litters), June-August (when families leave for holidays in mainland France) and December (house moves and the end of the school year).
For several years, the French state, the regional and departmental councils and local councils have jointly funded free or very cheap neutering for low-income households, with partner vets across the island. Charities see it as the single most effective way to break the cycle.
Reunion Island is part of France, so French animal-cruelty law applies. The law of 30 November 2021 (known as the Dombreval law) toughened penalties: up to 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine for serious cruelty, abandonment now treated as an act of cruelty, and the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops being phased out. Article 521-1 of the French Criminal Code applies to everyone.
Every dog over 4 months old must be identified (microchip or tattoo) and registered on France's national i-CAD database, and this is compulsory whenever a dog changes hands (sale, gift, adoption), with a €750 fine otherwise. An identified dog that's found can be returned to its owner within hours, versus weeks for an unidentified one.
Reunion Island's charities run almost entirely on volunteers and donations. They're always short of foster families, people to escort animals to mainland France, and partner vets in remote areas. Every bit helps: 2 hours a month is enough to walk shelter dogs or carry bags of dog food.
Six common situations and who to contact for each. Whatever happens, take photos, note the exact location, stay calm and alert a local charity as well as the authorities.
Six key organisations, each with its own focus and area. Most run almost exclusively on volunteers and donations.
| Organisation | Main mission | Area | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| APEBA | Animal welfare education, prevention in schools, support for responsible adoption | Island-wide | apeba.re |
| SPA Réunion (Society for the Protection of Animals) | Shelter for abandoned animals, adoption, mediation and reporting | Saint-Pierre, Saint-André | spa-reunion.fr |
| Adopt'Animal Réunion | Rehoming shelter dogs and cats, advice for adopters | Island-wide | Social media (a very active Facebook page) |
| ARK Animal Réunion | Emergency rescues, care and transfers to foster families in mainland France | Island-wide, a branch in the South | Search by name on Facebook or Instagram |
| Council pounds | The local pound takes in strays picked up on the roads, holds them for 8 days, then rehomes or euthanises them | One pound per group of municipalities | Town halls, public health departments |
| Partner vets for neutering | Free or reduced-cost neutering under government campaigns | A list kept up to date by the prefecture (local government office) | See reunion.gouv.fr |
This list isn't exhaustive: smaller local groups (in Sainte-Suzanne, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Leu and Le Tampon) also help out. Search on Facebook and Instagram to find groups near where you're staying.
The law of 30 November 2021 against animal abuse (known as the Dombreval law) significantly toughened French law, which applies in Reunion Island. Three main changes: abandonment is now treated as cruelty, penalties for serious mistreatment are tougher, and the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops is being phased out (in effect since January 2024).
Article 521-1 of the French Criminal Code punishes serious mistreatment, acts of cruelty and abandonment of a domestic, tamed or captive animal with 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine. The sentence can come with a permanent ban on keeping an animal and on working in an animal-related activity.
i-CAD identification is compulsory for every dog over 4 months old (a microchip or tattoo) and every cat over 7 months old born after 1 January 2012. They must be registered on the national database, at a one-off cost of €50-80 at the vet. Transferring an unidentified animal is punishable by a €750 fine.
The DDPP(the local animal and public protection authority), a government service, coordinates investigations with the gendarmerie, inspects breeders and shops, and can seize animals in danger. For serious cases, it's the first port of call after the gendarmerie.
1. Foster an animal. This is what charities need most. House a dog or cat for 1-6 months while awaiting permanent adoption. Essential for puppies needing socialising, fearful dogs needing to rebuild trust, and convalescing cats. The charity covers vet costs and food, you provide time and affection.
2. Volunteer, once or regularly. 2 hours a month is enough to walk shelter dogs, clean pens, welcome visitors or carry supplies and dog food. Every charity always needs extra hands. Direct contact with the animals is as rewarding for you as it is for them.
3. Donate.Monthly or one-off (66% tax-deductible if you pay tax in France). €30 a month funds a dog's neutering every two months. €100 covers the care of an injured dog taken in as an emergency.
4. Sponsoring a shelter animal.A monthly donation dedicated to a named animal ("your" sponsored dog). You follow their story, get updates, and fund their vet costs and food for as long as they're at the shelter.
5. Escort an animal to mainland France.If your flight home goes to mainland France, tell the charities: there's always a dog or cat that needs to travel in the hold (€30-80 per animal depending on the airline). Once there, a foster family or shelter takes over. It's one of the main ways to relieve pressure on Reunion Island's overcrowded shelters.