Dear supporters,
We want to address recent misleading statements about our organisation and work regarding the latest event of the “shelter initiative” of the Municipality of Prishtina. It is crucial to provide accurate information, so below you can find a detailed summary of the key points.
First, let us kindly remind everyone that our organisation doesn’t work based on emotional responses on social media but rather addresses all issues to the competent authorities and then also publishes all the facts and situation (and needed next steps), to inform people properly.
❗ Misleading Statements: There have been circulating misleading statements regarding the center, such as claims that it is filled with dogs from the shelter initiative and that euthanasia is planned after 23 days. We want to clarify that these statements are false and do not reflect reality. While we cannot predict the future actions of the Municipality of Prishtina or any other municipality, we are committed to opposing any actions that violate the law, as we have always done. However, in this case, we want to inform you that the Municipality’s initiative was not intended to harm the dogs, as the capture of three dogs was even done in front of TV cameras and witnesses. Instead, it was a poorly planned ad hoc effort based on the misinformation that the QTK (the so-called shelter) was licensed to house dogs. Since the moment our organization became aware that the dogs were taken, we were the first one to visit the center, and we contacted the Municipality and Food and Veterinary Agency in writing to seek clarification about this initiative and requested the release of the dogs. This is because the center where the dogs were brought was NOT licensed to shelter dogs. Only three dogs were taken as part of the shelter initiative, while the rest of the dogs were temporarily staying there as part of the ongoing CNVR project in Prishtina. It is crucial to set the record straight and prevent the spread of misinformation.
📹 Video of two dogs fighting in the same box: We certainly are concerned of the video that has been circulating depicting dogs fighting at the center and it is a disturbing sight and neglect of animal welfare. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as these shelter conditions (and even worse) are to be seen in every private shelter run by many people in Prishtina and in the whole country (with few exceptions). We take every animal welfare neglect very seriously and want to assure you that we have addressed the issue and asked the municipality to address this issue further and talked to the shelter owner to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. During our monitoring on the 22nd to the shelter, no box contained more than one adult dog. We appreciate everyone for standing up and demanding action to stop such situations.
🏡 It is a clear fact that none of the shelters in Kosovo have a dog behavior specialist or provide accurate information about basic dog behavior. This lack of expertise is evident in every shelter we have visited, even those run by animal rescuers. We have witnessed dogs living in deplorable conditions, dogs injured from fights with other dogs, and even cases where dogs have killed each other within the shelter. These situations are strikingly like what was depicted in the circulating video. The task of sheltering dogs is inherently challenging, and in Kosovo, due to the longstanding lack of proper legislation implementation, people establish shelters and keep dogs and cats without adhering to any criteria. What is particularly concerning is the hypocrisy of activists who remain silent despite witnessing these distressing conditions firsthand, and moreover, sending the dogs they rescue in these centers, knowing full well of the below-par conditions of life for dogs. Our organisation does and will address these issues continuously as we are asking since years for more veterinary inspections. Let’s remind everyone that the Municipality of Prishtina more than 1 year ago did visit the private shelters in Prishtina to look up for potential solution to cooperate with shelters and people who are rescuing stray dogs – a thing that none of the municipalities did in the past.
❓ We are confused as to why the activist had to enter the shelter without talking to the shelter owner to take the videos and steal the dog without permission in the name of rescue. The dog was there as part of CNVR project in Prishtina, and municipal officials and veterinary officials should have been alerted instead of inflicting self-justice and taking the dog. Moreover, some of the activists cooperated closely with QTK until lately.
💭 In our opinion, people should address all the issues with a professional approach, especially when private and public entities are open for the activists. Animal protection is not just the direct rescue of the dogs but also ensuring not to create bad precedents where people just go in shelters and steal dogs. Such actions would be somehow understandable many years back when municipalities and veterinarians didn’t even allow people to see what is happening in the dog treatment centers.
📅 Meeting Update: On the June 22nd, an unplanned meeting was held between the municipality and animal protection activists that protested in front of the municipality. In the meeting, our NGO was also present as well. We want to share the following outcomes of the meeting:
– As there is currently no licensed shelter, the municipality will not proceed with the initiative to shelter dogs until a new center is approved, and the three dogs will be released back.
– When a center is approved for shelter, the municipality is committed to working closely with activists to plan proper sheltering for some of the dogs in the city.
– The municipality will establish a working group with activists and provide support to those who take care of community dogs and to give advice to the Municipality on how to plan and implement initiatives concerning sheltering and adoptions. It should be noted that we criticize the Municipality for the adoption initiative without ensuring the conditions for housing until the adoption. According to the legislation in force, the municipalities have the responsibility to ensure the complete welfare of the animals inside the shelters. We ask the Municipality to be much more attentive in planning such initiatives and to always include Civil Society in time.
It should be noted that we criticize the Municipality for the adoption initiative without ensuring the conditions for housing until the adoption. According to the legislation in force, the municipalities have the responsibility to ensure the complete welfare of the animals inside the shelters. We ask the Municipality to be much more attentive in planning such initiatives and to always include Civil Society in time.
In the face of misunderstandings and misconceptions, it is important to understand that emotions can run high, but we believe that drama on social media will not help the poor stray animals we all care about. We urge everyone to support our efforts to monitor the work at any dog treatment centers throughout Kosovo, provide constructive criticism, offer ideas to better the conditions for the dogs and demand accountability when animal welfare is endangered.
It is also important to seek the truth and hold any central or local level official accountable if there is evidence of plans to euthanize dogs after 23 days. Our organization has lobbied intensively against euthanasia article for healthy dogs in the shelter regulation, and we urge anyone with information to come forward, and we offer our full support and capacities to address any such concerns.
🙏 Gratitude to Animal Lovers: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the animal lovers who have reached out to us with concern and have sought more information and have not succumbed to unnecessary drama. Your support and dedication to the well-being of animals are deeply appreciated!
🤝 Collaboration and Transparency: We firmly believe in the power of open dialogue, cooperation, transparency, and accountability. Our organization’s stance aims to gather all the facts, promote dialogue, and be a part of the humane solutions instead of being an obstacle.
We have received assurances that everyone is encouraged to visit the QTK (the center conducting CNVR) to witness firsthand the conditions and the care provided to the dogs, and offer criticism, suggestions or help. The same collaboration we are trying to establish in other municipalities that have active CNVR projects, together with hardworking local activists to monitor the work of the contracted vets for CNVR program. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. Your involvement and dedication are instrumental in creating a better future for stray animals.