Zoonotic Parasites of Sheltered and Stray Dogs in the Era of the Global Economic and Political Crisis

Abstract

Sheltered and stray dogs, exposed to zoonotic parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and arthropods, may represent a major threat to public health. Resources for addressing health problems in these animals are not on the priority list of veterinary and public health authorities. Thus, dogs continue to represent an important reservoir for zoonotic parasites. In this article, we review the importance of sheltered and stray dogs as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites in different parts of the world, especially in the context of the current global political and economic crisis.

Keywords: economic crisis; poverty; sheltered dogs; stray dogs; zoonotic parasites.