It's getting harder to go for a peaceful walk with our friendly street hounds. All around our neighbourhood the number of street dogs seems to have shot up over the past few months. This morning we passed a pack of twenty near the park.
Most of these dogs are young and have appeared over the last six months. I suspect the very mild winter we have had has something to do with it since more of the pups born recently have survived. Those dogs that have survived long enough to start breeding also have strong immune systems and are probably passing that on to their offspring.
Something needs to be done, but shooting some dogs from time to time doesn't solve the problem. It just happens that there is a local group of Albanians and internationals who are actively trying to set up an animal shelter and clinic. I'm part of this group, so wish us luck.
Comments
The plan is to try to work with the municipality - if they have an appropriate site, for example.
The shelter would sterilise the dogs and make them available for adoption. Dangerous or sick dogs would be humanely put down.
Local staff would run it with volunteer help. At the moment we are looking to charities and trusts for funding, but the goal would be to become self-financing in the long term through providing services like a clinic, kennels or even a grooming parlour!
It is still at an early stage but I will let you know how it is going.
I am from Prishtina and third year in the row we brought a group of British and Croat vet friends of mine and did some sterilisation too!
I would be more than glad to help on anything and get some possible kind of networking and use some help as well!
Thanks in advance!
The same goes for anyone else who is interested.