News from our animal welfare program fall 2024

NEW SANCTUARY

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Dear animal lovers!

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Do you remember our fundraising email from August 6? We have now found a piece of land on a hill above the Albanian part of the town of Mitrovica and built the first communal stables. The cost of three stables is 6600 euros, we are still looking for sponsors - including for the dividing fences (cost 6000 euros) - and would like to thank those who, for once, donated not directly for a dog but for the infrastructure.

Why is the new space needed? Currently, we are still renting an old factory in the center of Mitrovica. But up here, a new small animal center is being built for the region. The barking of dogs is no longer accepted in the city center - but there is only a small cemetery in the neighborhood on this hill.

But the farm is also needed, as we were able to sign a new contract with the mayor in North Mitrovica. In this Serbian-speaking district, street dogs have often been poisoned so far - together with the local animal welfare organization “SAPA” Nord-Mitrovica, responsible for educational work, 500 street dogs are now being treated, castrated, vaccinated and dewormed within a year. We would like to thank a large foreign foundation for covering the treatment costs for 500 dogs!

We would also like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and trust in our work.

sincerely

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Your Helen Wormser, President
and the entire STRAYCOCO team

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CONSISTENT CONTINUATION OF CASTRATION PROJECTS

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Tierarzt sammelt Strassenhund ein für Kastration — Assistant vet in Drenas, Burim Sejdija catches dogs himself in the fields and quarters

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Working sustainably means working in a region for several years so that as many strays as possible are treated. We have been active in the four regions of Skenderaj, Vushtrri, Drenas and Gjakova for many years and now also in North Mitrovica. But the suspensions won't stop. The government's chipping program is not being consistently pursued. Neither the veterinary office nor the municipalities feel responsible. We have therefore asked our veterinarians to set up a task force together with their municipality and to identify all possible measures to help prevent dog abandonment. Gjakova has proven that the current law works when you find the owner. 500 euros in fine for leaving your own dogs stray and thus endangering and harassing the rest of the population. Well done!

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START OF CONSTRUCTION IN MITROVICA

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Land für Gnadenhof und Tierklinik in Mitrovica

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The land is on the hill and the stable substructure is on pillars. 30-40 cm from the ground, the stable now also offers shade in summer when it can get hot inside. The dogs can rest directly on the shady soil under the stable. The model comes from Valais, where it was intended to store supplies without mice. Other countries other needs.

We are still looking for sponsors for the fences - but we are already grateful for a significant individual donation for the construction of our fourth small animal clinic. But 60,000 euros are still missing.

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CONTRACT CONCLUDED WITH NORTH-MITROVICA DISTRICT

500 dogs are to be castrated and vaccinated in this district by August 1, 2025. The work has already begun thanks to a well-known contribution from a foreign animal welfare foundation... The project is of great importance, as it also shows the Serbian-speaking population in Kosovo that they are part of the country and therefore also receive our support in dealing with their stray dog problem. For this work, we still need 400 euros per month for a dog catcher and caretaker. We also appreciate your contribution in this regard.

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Schlafende Strassenhunde vor Blumenladen in Nord-Mitrovica

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Entire packs roam in the city center of North Mitrovica - the animal protection organization “SAPA” Udruženje za zaštitu životinja “Šapa” Severna/Kosovska Mitrovica Worries about these strays. It's worth helping because these dogs can survive. The ear tag shows residents that the dogs are healthy and neutered — they only need water and food.

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RECOGNITION FOR KOSOVO!

As is well known, the country after Ukraine is the second poorest country in Europe Nevertheless, five municipalities are currently participating ! on the costs of treatment and castration of street dogs. We have done a lot of motivational work and the fact that these communities are also financially involved means for us that the meaning and purpose of our work is recognized! In this country in particular, it is not self-evident!

It should also be noted that Switzerland is not supporting us with this development aid. This although the so-called “One Health” concept clearly shows how the health and safety of people depends on the health and husbandry of pets. Development aid also works differently. Too bad!

Our work has long been based on two pillars - supporting dog health and promoting responsible dog husbandry, but also investments in start-ups: We support efficient, well-trained and humble veterinarians who want to open a small animal clinic, provided that we are allowed to join our sanctuaries. The donations are used for a specific purpose. Anyone who simply donates an amount without comment can be sure that it will only care for dogs - and not start-ups. But these small animal clinics guarantee that pets can be well cared for in the long term. Supply creates demand — our work proves it.

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