The stray dog phenomenon in Kosovo

A military vet reports

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Help from the KFOR camp

In the early years of our animal welfare work in Kosovo, when a lot of things had to be improvised and we were literally in a state of construction, we received unexpected but extremely valuable support — of all people from the Italian KFOR troops in the Peja and Sparta/Decan camps.

As in Newspaper report from the Italian magazine 30 days impressively described, it was a dedicated military vet in particular who addressed the precarious situation of street dogs and our small rescue center in Nagavc recognized — and without further ado helped. The soldiers provided us with used containers, which we could use as temporary hospital rooms and storage units. They also carried out professional disinfections of our animal shelter — an enormous contribution to curbing diseases among animals.

But that was not all: The soldiers regularly brought donations of food, helped with medical supplies and were not afraid to lend a hand themselves. This form of solidarity was not only important for us in practical terms, but also morally — at a time when many looked away or laughed at us.

The report impressively acknowledges this special commitment and shows that compassion knows no limits — not even between uniform and civilian clothes. It is a good example of how military presence can also play a supporting role for local civil society initiatives.

To this day, we remember this phase with great gratitude — and of those men in uniform who, with heart and responsibility, had a positive influence on the lives of many animals in Kosovo. The article is a small memorial to this special effort that we will never forget.

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