Three Things to Know
Greater Bangkok is a rapidly urbanizing region with ongoing canine neuter, vaccinate, and return (CNVR) and rabies vaccination programs. To inform these efforts, researchers surveyed dog owners to understand ownership patterns, care practices, and their connection to CNVR initiatives.
The study found that nearly one in five households (20%) owned dogs, with a clear preference for male dogs (63%). However, a smaller proportion of these male dogs (44%) were sterilized compared to females (66%). Only a small percentage of the dog population (8%) was under one year old, suggesting a relatively stable and managed dog population in Greater Bangkok.
Most dogs (66%) roamed freely; three-quarters did so full-time, and the remainder part-time. The fact that people acquired many dogs (46%) from the streets likely influenced this behavior. Roaming dogs showed higher sterilization rates than confined dogs, but lower vaccination rates. Notably, CNVR activity resulted in higher sterilization rates in those areas.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
As with most other up and coming cities, Great Bangkok has a large roaming dog population (1.3 million), with 2 out of 3 owners allowing their dogs to roam. Encouragingly, almost 1 in 2 owned dogs were adopted from the street, showing a model where people can take care of their animals while still allowing them the freedom to live their lives.
This result found that sterilisation rates were higher in areas with CNVR activity, and most sterilised dogs had undergone the procedure through NGO clinics. Thus, combined with a separate study showing a decrease in the number of dogs, it provides evidence that the CNVR strategy is working in the area. While running a large-scale survey like this is resource-intensive, it nonetheless provides clear indication of the impact of the CNVR work, which helps inform the theory of change set up by those organizations hosting these initiatives.
The Full Picture
Greater Bangkok, Thailand is a region experiencing rapid urbanization and high rates of dog ownership. Many owned dogs in the area roam freely, contributing to the population of free-roaming dogs and complicating rabies prevention efforts. Previous studies have shown low sterilization rates and variable vaccination coverage among owned dogs, especially those that roam. In response, a large-scale CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) program has targeted both unowned and owned dogs.
To better inform such interventions, this study, titled “Population Demographics of Owned Dogs in Greater Bangkok and Implications for Free-Roaming Dog Population Management”, explores dog ownership patterns, care practices, and their relationship to the CNVR program in Greater Bangkok.
Study Methods
This study took place across Greater Bangkok, Thailand — a region comprising six provinces and 359 administrative areas. Researchers conducted a face-to-face Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey in Thai between July 21 and August 27, 2023.
The survey included 42 questions, with 20 focused on owned dogs, covering topics such as acquisition, confinement, sterilisation, vaccination, and veterinary care. Researchers collected the data from approximately 800 households per CNVR category using smartphone apps and GPS-guided fieldwork.
Study Results
The survey achieved a high participation rate, with 93% of 3304 approached households agreeing to take part. Respondents split evenly by gender, with an average age of 46. Most were adults, though 0.5% were minors, and adults supervised them.
Dog Population and Demographics
Nearly one in five households (19.6%) owned dogs, amounting to 1138 owned dogs and an average of 1.68 dogs per dog-owning household. Dog ownership varied by province, with Nakhon Pathom and Pathum Thani showing the highest ownership rates and dog density, while Bangkok had a relatively low ownership rate of 9.4%. Extrapolations estimate around 1.3 million owned dogs in Greater Bangkok.
Owners provided demographic details for 69% of dogs. Among these, 63% were male, likely due to owner preferences and concerns about unwanted litters in the absence of widespread sterilisation. The dogs have an average age of 4.2 years. A small proportion (8.4%) were under one year old, indicating the dog population in Greater Bangkok to be relatively stable and managed.
Most dogs (66%) roamed freely; three-quarters roamed full-time, and the rest part-time. Only 34% remained consistently confined. Data analysis did not identify an association between roaming and a dog’s sex, but older dogs were slightly more likely to be confined. Notably, areas that received CNVR interventions showed a significant reduction in roaming, particularly after three completed rounds.
Sterilization and Health Coverage
In terms of sterilisation, 53% of dogs were sterilised. Female dogs were significantly more likely to be sterilised than males (65% vs. 44%), and roaming dogs were also more likely to be sterilised than confined dogs. Sterilisation rates were higher in areas with CNVR activity, and most sterilised dogs had undergone the procedure through NGO clinics. Among owners of unsterilised dogs, common reasons included beliefs that male dogs didn’t need it, reliance on contraceptives for females, lack of knowledge, or lack of skilled vets.
Rabies vaccination coverage was high at 84%. Confined dogs and older dogs were more likely to receive vaccinations. Dogs under one year had lower coverage — an issue given their greater risk of rabies transmission. Reasons for not vaccinating included lack of transportation, difficulty handling the dog, and lack of awareness or access. Notably, neither CNVR nor the dog’s sex influenced vaccination rates.
Veterinary care was uncommon, with only 16% of dogs visiting a vet in the past year. Confined dogs were much more likely to have received care than roaming dogs. Preventive care was the most common reason, but roaming dogs were more often treated for injury or illness.
Acquisition and Departure
Most owners acquired their dogs from the streets (46%) or received them as gifts (37%), with very few coming from shelters — despite several operating in the region. This suggests a need to better understand patterns of acquisition and gifting, especially as many gifted dogs may also originate from the streets. People acquired one-third of the dogs within the past year. More recent acquisitions were less likely to be street adoptions and more likely to be gifts.
When asked about dogs that had left the household in the past year, 5% of respondents reported such cases, totaling 230 dogs. Most were male adults, and nearly all departures were due to death (86%) or disappearance (9%). The leading cause of death was road accidents (41%), followed by illness (26%). People rehomed very few dogs. However, respondents may underreport abandonment. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between lost, abandoned, and adopted dogs.
Conclusion
This study provides vital insights into the ownership and care of dogs in Greater Bangkok, home to an estimated 1.3 million dogs. It reveals that a large proportion of owned dogs (66%) roams, many full-time, blurring the lines between owned and unowned populations. This fluid movement — through adoption, abandonment, or loss—underscores the importance of including owned dogs in free-roaming dog population management and rabies control strategies.
While CNVR programs appear effective in promoting sterilisation and reducing roaming, more work is needed to address gaps in vaccination of puppies, veterinary care for roaming dogs, and owner behavior. Further research into how and why people acquire, keep, and give away dogs will be crucial for designing effective and humane dog population strategies in urban Thailand.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Street Dogs > Thailand > Ownership Practices After CNVR
Year of Publication:
2025
External Link:
Hiby E, Rungpatana T, Izydorczyk A, Benka V, Rooney C. Population Demographics of Owned Dogs in Greater Bangkok and Implications for Free-Roaming Dog Population Management. Animals. 2025; 15(9):1263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091263