Homelessness is a huge problem for canines all over the world, with many countries simply unequipped to handle the sheer number of dogs roaming the streets. But amazingly, one country has been able to keep dogs off the streets.

That country is the Netherlands. Thanks to strategic government action, the Netherlands became the first country to end homelessness for dogs years ago. Since the 19th century, dog ownership was a common thing in the country because it was considered a status symbol. But the larger number of dogs eventually lead to an outbreak of rabies in the 1800s, which caused many owners to start abandoning their pets.

Concerned, authorities wanted to change those unfortunate circumstances and thus implemented a country-wide sterilization program for the animals during the mid 1900s. As a result, the Netherlands were able to sterilize 70 percent of female dogs. Each dog examined for sterilization was also given the vaccines and medical services it needed.

To take more control and end the issue once and for all, the government passed a law that protected animals and approved another law that made it highly illegal to abuse dogs or abandon them. Those found guilty of violating these laws could be punished with up to three years in prison and a fine higher than $16,000. And to encourage people to adopt from shelters rather than buy the pets, taxes were raised on the purchase of dogs in stores.

[Update: The source link for this story has been changed in order to better reflect the facts.]