Humanity in general cares deeply for dogs and we know that they care about us in return, offering us companionship, love and unshakeable loyalty. But statistics reveal that far too many dogs are in distress. According to the American magazine National Geographic, there are more than 300 million street dogs worldwide.

As the first domesticated species, dogs have been man’s best friend for a very long time. While the timing and location of dog domestication remain a controversy, several researchers believe that the event took place somewhere in northern Eurasia between 18,800 and 32,000 years ago. What we know for sure is that our ancestors chose to live with dogs and were even buried with them. In exchange for picking the bones of hunters, dogs defended humans against potential threats. Today, in a similar fashion, dogs beg for our scraps and remain as protective as ever. Dogs have always had our well-being in mind… so why do so many people fail to show them kindness?

Suffering from extreme hunger, deadly disease and human cruelty, street dogs have an average lifespan of three to six years, significantly shorter than the average lifespan for dogs. Network for Animals works to provide these creatures with food, safe shelter and timely medical attention, including vital vaccinations and sterilizations.