How things were in 2012 when Dogs Trust arrived to BiH
The dog count in 2012 showed that, in the 4 city municipalities of Sarajevo alone, as many as 12,000 dogs lived on the streets! This problem was declared a primary community security issue in the public opinion research conducted by UNDP.
In 2019, after a continuous implementation of Dogs Trust dog neutering campaigns, the number of dogs in the capital alone was reduced to around 3,000! In around 80% of the regions where Dogs Trust is active, hundreds of thousands of new dogs have been prevented from ending up on the streets.
The Dogs Trust Foundation launched its activities in BiH exactly 10 years ago because it believed that, at the time, the newly adopted (2009) progressive Law on Animal Protection and Welfare provided clear frameworks for systematic and humane management of the dog population, ensuring that dogs no longer have to live on the streets. That is why the main objective of the Dogs Trust Foundation was and remains to support the key systemic measures of the Law and, by stabilising the population of dogs on the streets, educating and raising the awareness of owners and the public, help local authorities that are the only ones with the capacity, competencies, and resources to solve this problem gradually, but surely and permanently.
But not everything has been so simple and easy. Obstacles have been numerous over the years, starting from insufficient veterinary capacity to carry out mass neutering, lack of understanding of the effectiveness of this method for a permanent solution, resistance to neutering owners’ dogs, to the lack of initiative by competent local authorities.
Elements of the statutory system certainly solve the problem permanently and humanely
The Law on Animal Protection and Welfare of BiH provides clear frameworks to establish a system to manage the dog population, which provides a humane solution without the risk it would become a recurrent problem.
In order to understand better the measures prescribed, and how much sense they actually make, we will start from the origin of dogs on the streets and the root of the problem!
But, first of all, we must point out: one thing is absolutely certain, dogs have no place on the street, because it is not good for the community or for the dogs!
Who are "stray dogs"?
Stray dogs are either recently abandoned owners’ dogs or their offspring.
This means that the root of the problem is irresponsible ownership, and irresponsible and unregistered keeping and breeding of dogs!
Left on their own, these dogs are forced to fend for themselves for food, shelter, and they are exposed to the risks of suffering, bad weather, hunger, and disease. At the same time, although despite the difficult living conditions, many abandoned dogs are peaceful and yearn for human attention, some of them in such a difficult situation may pose a risk to the community.
The main source of the influx of new dogs into the streets is new abandonment and uncontrolled reproduction.
When we take all of this into account, it is clear what steps need to be taken, and all of them are prescribed by the Law!
Mass neutering and additional treatment of street dogs, which stops further reproduction, reduces risks to the community, and helps dogs to be healthier! If we know that only one female can give birth to up to 12 puppies in one litter, and that each new female is reproductively mature at only 6 months, it is clear that this measure works!
Supervision of dog owners, sanctioning, education, and raising awareness
In order to prevent abandonment and inadequate breeding and keeping of dogs, it is crucial to implement measures that can only be ensured by local authorities and inspections. Did you know that BiH now has a state database that is prescribed by the Law? This means that every dog must be registered, as well as its owners or handlers. Sufficient and adequate, systematic supervision of owners, breeders, hunters, shelters, boarding houses, and all other dog keepers certainly prevents unsanctioned abandonment, while education and raising awareness in the long-run will help all those who keep dogs to be truly responsible to them and to the society.
Shelters, rehoming, supervision of dogs temporarily living in the community
In accordance with the Law, local authorities were required to establish shelters for stray animals and services for humane catching, and to ensure mass neutering of dogs, within one year from the adoption of the Law.
Shelters are a very important element of the system because they ensure humane care and rehoming of abandoned dogs.
However, it is very important that these shelters are registered and subject to regular inspections so that they are humane and do not become overcrowded.
Mass, overcrowded shelters quickly become a real nightmare for dogs as well, as they quickly become substandard and too expensive and unsustainable for local authorities or others responsible for their funding and maintenance.
This is why it is important that in the transition period we also take care of the dogs temporarily living in the community. Many abandoned dogs are ready and long to have a home and an owner. But some of them, although very peaceful, neutered and treated, and not posing a risk to humans, have become accustomed to their way of life for too long, and it would be risky for their health and behaviour to place them in a confined space. At the same time, these dogs are valuable to the community because they "protect" it from possible new dogs that may not be healthy, peaceful, or neutered, and who would certainly come in search of food if it were not for these "neighbourhood dogs". In our community as well, we have numerous positive examples of caring for such dogs, and proof of what happens if these dogs are "removed". This does not mean that dogs should live on the street, as we have already mentioned, but that, in a situation where we already have such a pronounced problem, it is necessary to use all resources, taking into account the well-being of both the community and the dogs.
Here is how Dogs Trust has contributed to positive change for dogs and the community over 10 years of significant investment and effort
Hundreds of thousands of new abandoned dogs have been prevented
Through campaigns of mass neutering of street dogs, Dogs Trust has funded the neutering of more than 100,000 dogs, of which more than 70% are street dogs, and for each dog, vaccination against rabies, treatment against intestinal parasites, and a microchip, and for street dogs additionally an ear tag and tattoo. This prevented hundreds of thousands of new dogs, which would suffer life without the necessary human care, and which could pose a risk to the community, from ending up on the street.
Substantial technical and financial assistance was provided to local authorities - the only ones that are required and can ensure a statutory solution
This truly significant support helped stabilise the number of stray dogs in many regions of the country, and the valuable financial investment helped the responsible authorities to be more efficiently and quickly on the way to a permanent solution with lower budget expenses.
Evident positive changes in consciousness and behaviour
In the bigger picture, through education and raising awareness, Dogs Trust has made a truly significant change in the awareness and knowledge of numerous audiences and the general public!
Considerably strengthened veterinary capacity
Because of the Dogs Trust's contribution to building the capacity of the veterinary profession, particularly in small practices, many dog owners now have access to better quality and affordable veterinary care for their pets, closer to home. Owing to this education, it was possible to carry out mass neutering campaigns with strict adherence to legal and Dogs Trust procedures.
Prevented unwanted dog behaviour and abandonment
Through Dogs Trust education at the Dog School, and a number of public campaigns and events, dog owners are much more familiar with their obligations and the importance of responsible dog ownership. A number of owners who were not ready for it before, decided to neuter their pets, which prevented unwanted behaviour caused by reproductive hormones, and unplanned litters that often end up on the street.
10 generations of educated children for safety and responsibility
By educating children, several generations of future dog owners have been reached, and children, as the most vulnerable category of society, have learned how to be as safe as possible with dogs, and how important it is to get an adequate dog and take care of it responsibly for the rest of its life. This programme had a positive effect on parents and teachers, who understood the benefits of this type of education both for the safety and knowledge of children, and for the development of empathy and self-confidence from an early age.
Importance of rehoming emphasised
Dog lovers got the chance to adopt a dog with the help of Dogs Trust and expert advice, and rescued dogs got happy and permanent homes where they enjoy and bring joy to their owners and benefits for their mental and physical health. This programme is useful on many levels and for the whole community because within it, dogs from the streets are taken care of, and there is no danger of them becoming a risk to anyone. All audiences have a much better understanding of how important it is to receive professional help when getting a dog.
After 10 years of investment and work, proud of evidently significant achievements, Dogs Trust continues in a new "guise", no longer as a Representative Office, but as the Dogs Trust Worldwide Foundation Bosnia, whose founder is Dogs Trust Worldwide! This change only confirms the commitment of the Dogs Trust Foundation to continue providing its support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and opens up new opportunities, including expanding support and capacity to the entire region dealing with a similar problem. Be a part of this important story, follow and support our work and become involved in positive changes, so that our society becomes an excellent example of a humane system for dog management, because a dog is not a toy, but a noble being deserving of our care for a lifetime!
