At the end of the year StrayCoco news

Amerikanischer Soldat mit Katze auf der Schulter

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We wish all our friends a peaceful Christmas season and a good start to the new year.

Once again, we'll give you a brief overview of where we stand, what we're doing right now - but we don't want to publish pictures of the suffering. Many people are currently struggling with losses and fears anyway, we don't want to oppress them. We can assure you that we will help wherever possible.

We are all volunteers and use our work and our own financial resources every day to save the stray dogs in the Southwest Balkans some suffering - they are also living beings and when people themselves suffer, they often have no time to notice the misery of the animals. We're watching! And we appreciate every single donor who helps us. Thanks for your contribution!

MITROVICA SMALL VETERINARY CLINIC - KOSOVO

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Soldat mit Hund und Tierarzt in Mitrovica, Kosovo

Militär besucht Tierklinik Mitrovica in Kosovo

Hunde Häuser in Gnadenhof Mitrovica, Kosovo

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The US ARMY Bondsteel Ferizaj delivered dog houses and medical equipment to the Mitrovica small animal clinic rented by DVM Labinot Osmani and the Commander adopted three dogs at once. Our efforts in the North-East are appreciated! Our vet is often on the street, both across the “bridge” on the Serbian side and on this side in the Albanian part. He vaccinates and deworms countless puppies on an outpatient basis - the children care and are happy. The development is positive - but the mayor does not see it. We are also continuing to change his mind politically - with the municipal parliament! VUSHTRRI Small Veterinary Clinic - KosovoOur annex is still not ready. There is a lack of financial resources to line the boxes with epoxy and to finish installing the heating system. External insulation cannot yet be commissioned either. According to the cost estimate, we would need exactly the amount of 3540 euros for epoxy and pit insulation. DVM Zenel Zhabari was able to conclude a contract with the city of Vushtrri, according to which they will financially contribute to the castration of 500 street dogs. Our contribution is therefore 33 euros per dog from now on. However, we still cover significant emergency costs and treatment of privately kept dogs with penniless owners. It is better to castrate than to abandon puppies! We are working with the mayor's office on a PR campaign against suspension for castration. It takes time — and we're laymen.

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GJAKOVA SMALL VETERINARY CLINIC - KOSOVO

Since its opening in autumn 2018, this has been the best-functioning small animal clinic in Kosovo and in the entire South-West Balkans. However, the sanctuary is overcrowded, as there were no tourists and no adoptions this year. Our dogs are well socialized with children and friendly towards humans and animals. Without adoptions, we can hardly take in any more dogs - only puppies found shelter with us. Due to Covid, all inspections in 2020 could only take place online. But the city and region photos also show dogs treated by us everywhere! We are proud to have the Gjakova region “under control” thanks to DVM Blendi Bejdoni.

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Glücklicher Hund auf Wiese im Gnadenhof Gjakova, KosovoG

Hund und Katze im Gnadenhof Gjakova, Kosovo

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Family Vet Team Niksic-MontenegroIn Niksic, we have achieved a great deal this year. With our new team of veterinarians, 260 dogs have been treated and castrated since May and over 120 dogs have found their home in the country. The state animal shelter is currently being expanded thanks to a private donation - there should be free-range zones so that dogs do not have to spend their lives in cages. The new mayor M. Simovic has agreed to all our conditions, not least thanks to the dedicated head of veterinary office Vesna Dakovic and some diplomatic help from Bulgaria. For example, the city is no longer allowed to kill dogs, the home must be kept open for potential adopters and our vet must have a seat on the “Management Board.” Until all buildings are completed, our team and Srdjan Todorovic are organising weekly walks with the home dogs - a huge effort. Thanks to our private donation of 24,000 euros for a bit of freedom, Mayor Simovic has decided to invest in the expansion of the animal shelter on the part of the city as well and is involved with 12,000 euros.

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Tierpfleger kümmert sich um mehrere Hunde im Wald

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ALL IN ALL

We have started a small project in Kosovo in the poorest region of Drenas with DVM Shaban Mehmeti. He has rented and furnished a stable as a transit center - more about this in 2021; in Albania, we will have to stop working next year because donations are missing. We do not know whether it is just the COVID year or will continue like this. But given the scarce resources, we cannot continue like this. Priority is given to Kosovo and Niksic/MNE. Direct donations to our partners in Albania, the Swiss Association JETA animal and human Welcome. All projects are expected to be reduced in 2021 unless a small miracle happens. With this picture from the church in Gjakova, we are concluding our coverage this year. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped us this year - on behalf of the stray dogs we were able to help.

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