Christmas is just around the corner. At least for us in Switzerland and the northern EU, these can be contemplative and enjoyable times. But we all know that large parts of the world don't enjoy this luxury and even where people aren't doing too badly, dogs get trampled on. Kosovo has suffered huge setbacks this year. With the establishment of unprofessionally managed animal shelters and state-ordered killings of street dogs, our work is almost at the end. Over the years, we have shown how dog owner control and castration can reduce the street dog population - but understanding of this strategy is lacking in many places and fails due to politicians' lack of interest.

‍

Merry Christmastime

Dear dog lovers

Christmas is just around the corner. At least for us in Switzerland and the northern EU, these can be contemplative and enjoyable times. But we all know that large parts of the world don't enjoy this luxury and even where people aren't doing too badly, dogs get trampled on. Kosovo has suffered huge setbacks this year. With the establishment of unprofessionally managed animal shelters and state-ordered killings of street dogs, our work is almost at the end. Over the years, we have shown how dog owner control and castration can reduce the street dog population - but understanding of this strategy is lacking in many places and fails due to politicians' lack of interest.
However, there are regional bright spots! Gjakova with the third state castration program, the municipalities of North-Mitrovica and Leposavic are working with us and finally Drenas is also a successful program. We were also able to conclude a cooperation agreement with the Bernese-Bosnian Association “Hopefordogs_BIH” for the Kljuc/Bosnia region and work there with a dedicated, humble and well-trained vet, with the city actively supporting us!
We are not giving up, but we are looking for regions where efforts for the animals are worthwhile and are not destroyed by politicians.
Stay with us and help because, like almost everywhere else in the world, little can often be achieved without money.
Thanks to everyone who supports us — some of them for 11 years, an incredibly long journey that we didn't have to go alone. Thank you

Yours Helen Wormser
President of the Board of Trustees

Impressions from Kljuc/Bosnia

Street dogs wherever the eye goes. Everywhere - and no one is castrated. The Hopefordogs BIH association picks up puppies and feeds them through, but there are simply too many. That is why, with the approval of the mayor, we are also helping to reduce the dog population in this city of Bosnia, including with a campaign for the free castration of domestic dogs, where the owner has little or no income. We started this program in October 2025 and will continue to report in the coming year.

Kosovo trip November 2025

Rarely have we found so many dead dogs on the side of the road, particularly in regions where highway construction is progressing and municipalities are not prepared to implement a meaningful prevention program against the abandonment of domestic dogs. The sight is sad - unfortunately Kosovo is not a country for tourists, despite the beauty of nature.
The dogs are doing well in our four sanctuaries - but they want a place to live. Especially in Vushtrri, the vet has started taking in more and more dogs from other regions and the shelter is overcrowded! We still have 13 dogs, which we continue to provide with sponsorships there. If you want to offer them a place in your life, contact: info@straycoco.com.

And another update regarding the construction of the small animal clinic with sanctuary in Mitrovica

We still need around 15,000 euros for completion so that the clinic can even be put into operation. The rented factory in the city center has been unacceptable for humans and dogs since it was flooded. The severe urine smell can no longer be removed from the concrete and there are no separate enclosures in the concreted courtyard for treating street dogs. We will no longer invest here, but hope to be able to move as soon as possible. Impressions: New small animal clinic with outlet - still without electric and outdoor boxes; assistant vet for friendly capture of street dogs in North Mitrovica - and outpatient vaccination of puppies, as well as educational and motivational work by our dog sitter talking to dog owners in Leposavic.

And not to forget... this year too, our partner vets visited schools and invited classes to the veterinary clinics... there would be a lot to talk about. Please visit our website or follow us on Facebook. www.straycoco.com

Outlook 2026

We want to continue working in the North-East regions of Kosovo and help communities control the stray dog population. We still lack the means to do this for the time being, but we remain confident.

New mayors were elected in all municipalities this fall - we will soon start lobbying to conclude cooperation agreements;
Dogs from North Mitrovica to Leposavic should continue to be cared for by our vet;
We will start as soon as the funds are available for this region, while in Gjakova and Drenas our castration program will continue until spring.

With your help :-)

Copyright © *12/2025 *straycoco.com*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
info@straycoco.com

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can Update your preferences or Unsubscribe from this list.