Dog news from the Balkans

Dear animal lovers!

Our addressees are animal lovers and not just dog lovers, because all animals need our protection. Like all speechless beings, they depend on intercessors and that is what we have been doing continuously for years in the Southwest Balkans. We are tirelessly trying to appeal to politicians and committed activists and to convince them of efficient dog owner control. But finally, the statement remains that animal welfare in Kosovo consists of desk offenders (Facebook posts) and individual animal rescuers, but no one is willing to systematically tackle the big problem in accordance with proven rules of many major animal welfare organizations worldwide. Kosovo has taken major steps backwards this year. With the construction of animal shelters, which is also supported by dog lovers, countless street dogs disappear and are killed. Many people imagined it differently, but our timely repeated warnings that animal shelters could not solve the problem of hundreds of thousands of stray animals were not taken seriously. The EU and local “animal rights activists” see how animal shelters work for us and wanted the same. Only the Balkans are not ready for animal shelters, because there are no animal keepers, no adoptions in the country itself, absolutely no room for so many strays, so they kill them! The only working concept with so many stray animals has been tested by major international animal welfare organizations. CNVR - catch-neuter-vaccinate-release, in addition to education and training, are the first steps before a dog owner check as practiced in Switzerland. Kosovo is 4x smaller than Switzerland, so it wouldn't be impossible. But there is a lack of political will!

Sincerely, Dr. Helen WormserPresident of the Board of TrusteesCooperation in Mitrovica with the partner clinic Mitro-Vet

Our vet Labinot Osmani is currently the busiest partner. Even a former member of the army, he repeatedly receives the support of American veterinarians from Camp Bondsteel. Cooperation with the NGO in North Mitrovica, which has existed for many years and which we have already presented earlier, is also proving effective. Our castration work is mainly currently taking place in the Serbian-speaking areas of the country, i.e. in North Mitrovica thanks to a significant donation from a foreign public procurement foundation and thanks to cooperation agreements with the municipalities of North Mitrovica and Leposavic. The clinic's newly hired dog catcher is not only able to gently capture street dogs, she also constantly motivates dog owners to castrate their free-range dogs.

And while the new sanctuary is already standing and does not currently require any new investments apart from the shading pergolas, the veterinary clinic is still under construction. The water pipes were laid, negotiations are still ongoing with the electricity companies, the windows and doors are closed thanks to larger private donations (THANK YOU!) now used. There is still a lot to do before completion - and unfortunately we still need financial resources if construction is not to stall.In Kosovo, there was not a single veterinary clinic in rural areas worthy of the name in 2015. Mitrovica is our fourth veterinary clinic and all of this investment is being made to set the example: animals deserve veterinary treatment — and to ensure that someday there will continue to be an offer even without us.

Intervention and prevention in three other regions: Vushtrria, Drenas and Gjakova

Abandoned dogs continue to be castrated in Gjakova and Drenas, and prevention is important to us for this. In Vushtrri, where street dogs are being killed with financial support from the city government, we have stepped up our prevention work and urged dog owners to castrate their dogs, not to abandon puppies and to take care of their animals. It's a very complex process - but as you can see, we always have small successes. Old people who have to live on a meager pension, but also young unemployed dog owners sign up with us and use our campaign to castrate their pet dog free of charge.

The construction of animal shelters and mass killings of dogs have thrown the country of Kosovo back to the Middle Ages for a year. There is generally no animal welfare. An incompetent veterinary office and a politically divided country are making it increasingly impossible for us to operate a meaningful and sustainable program.

AND A MATTER CLOSE TO THE HEART

Ask around with friends:Three small dogs are currently looking for a place to live. They have EU passports and can also be visited. They are Tiffany, 1 year old, Tilda, 1 year old and her mother Mila, around 3 years old. Tiffany weighs only 7 kg and was once seriously injured. But she is very cheerful - even though she can't go on long marches, she likes to play. She may need physiotherapy in old age; these costs must be included. Mila and Tilda were abandoned, Tilda was the only puppy to survive and is very attached to the mother dog. Maybe someone has just lost their dog and would now like a small partner - then please contact me.

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