In order to reduce the total population of stray dogs in the streets of Addis Ababa, homeless dogs have been poisoned and killed for many years. This seemed a quick and low cost solution when in fact, so far, it has shown no results and rabies outburst still occurs. The reason for the failure of the killing system in Ethiopia and all over the world was the fact that after killing some dogs or even most dogs the remaining dogs gain a wider territory and more food resources which allow them to reproduce better and ensure their survival. Thus, for example, for every 3 dogs that are killed out of 4, the fourth dog will be able to reproduce better and give birth to at list 5 more dogs. Hence, from the four dogs we started with we now have 6 meaning that by killing the dogs we have actually increased the dog population by 50%. Also, even if the killing might have impacted by reducing the dog population, with out vaccination, the remaining dogs might still carry the rabies disease. Thus, rabies out burst is one of the biggest and deadly threats to the community living around stray dogs. The realization of this fact has made many countries through out Europe and the U.S.A implement Animal Birth Control, (ABC) program, and the results were indisputable.
 
In the U.S.A, New York, the killing system, as a solution to deal with stray dogs, has been practiced since 1895. Research done by local authorities has shown that the number of dogs killed every year was increasing until it had reached enormous numbers (the number jumped from 100,000 to 250,000 dogs every year). The results were similar in other cities in the States. In 1957 they started to practice the ABC program in a few states such as New York, San Francisco and others. After only 10 years, the birth reproduction stopped. The number of stray dogs decreased from 250,000 to 40,000 only. In other states like Texas and Alabama that did not embrace the ABC program, the numbers of stray dogs kept rising.
    
The Madras cooperation in India started killing stray dogs on 1860 mainly by shooting. Like in the case of the U.S.A, the number of dogs killed became higher every year; the costs were high and the numbers of rabies cases did not decrease. They concluded that the system was not working and turned to the ABC program. They started the ABC practice in 1995 mainly in Shenhai and Jaipoor; by 6 months, the results were promising. In Shenhai, the rabies cases decreased from 120 in 1996 to 3 cases only in 1997 and 0 cases in 2001. The result was similar in Jaipoor. In other regions that the ABC was not practiced, the numbers continued to rise and rabies continued to spread. In 6 years, the ABC program solved the problem which the killing system didn’t solve over more than 100 years.
            
Another problem that arose from the killing system was the disruption of balance among street animals. Athens during it's preparation to the Olympics 2004 tried to cover up years of neglect, by cleaning the streets from stray dogs. The massive killing paid off for there was hardly any dogs left. But then, a massive growth in the street cat population occurred; so, they started a cat hunting only to realize that this drew a growth in the rat population. The ABC program, which entails the Trap Neuter Release Method, offers a long time solution which will keep the healthy balance in the streets and will create a controlled and healthy environment.
 
Homeless Animals Protection Society, (HAPS), plans to implement the ABC program in Addis Ababa Bole Sub- City through the Addis Community for Animals (ACFA) Pilot Project which is part and parcel of the ABC Program. HAPS would hope to ascertain the active participation of the community in the implementation of the pilot project. There is a great deal of importance attached to the active involvement and raised awareness of the community in the project area.
 
In addition to the implementation of the ABC Program, dog owners would be encouraged to neuter and vaccinate their dogs by educating them about its importance and by directing them to a relatively low cost veterinary services in their near by veterinary clinics. Since at list 10% of the stray dog population is, in fact, dogs that have a home but still running free in the streets, dog owners would also be educated and encouraged to confine their dogs in their backyards and in that prevent them from being harmed or get into trouble.
 
The ABC program combined with the informational campaign is the most viable and long term solution for the stray dog problem. The success of the program in other countries could be used as an entry point and a testimony of its effectiveness. This program was presented to HAPS at the former "National Canine Defense League" (NCDL), UK which is known today as the "Dog Trust" International Training Center and on the 5th International Companion Animal Welfare Conference (ICAWC) Center in Europe, in the "South African Humane Education Summit" in September 2003 and again in the USA during a training at the Helen Woodward Animal Center and Conference on Homeless Animals Management and Policy/CHAMP/.
 
In order to realize HAPS goals of implementing this pilot project which focuses on homeless animals in the project area, it would depend on the all round support and active participation of the community and all other stakeholders.