Since October, our organization has actively started the project of “Assessment of the dynamics and number of stray dogs”, a project which will “count” the dogs on the street to have an approximate total number of dogs in the Municipality of Pristina, evaluate the dynamics of dogs on the street (how many are spayed/neutered, how many are puppies, how many are in poor health, etc.) and to measure the perception of people (households) towards dogs in general, but especially stray dogs or those that end up abandoned on the street. This study follows the methodology of ICAM. With our survey we will be able to understand and confirm the main sources of the large number of dogs on the street, which has been quite clear for quite some time: abandonment and uncontrolled breeding of dogs with keepers/owners. With uncontrolled or unwanted breeding, many people are forced to abandon their dogs on the street. However, this aspect must be measured, and empirical and accurate data must be collected to prove or perhaps reveal new or unthinkable data that shows the reasons for the increase of street dogs in the Municipality of Pristina.

Our combined team of veterinary and sociology students (and other professions) is making this work as good as possible in the field and data collection is being done with dedication and complete professionalism.

The data found will be presented as a report to the Municipality of Pristina, the Ministry of Local Government Administration and the Food and Veterinary Agency and will be published for all interested parties. These data will also serve for the implementation of the National Strategy since the assessment of the dynamics and number of stray dogs is foreseen by the Action Plan of the Strategy approved by the Government of Kosovo.

Our organization will try to do the same study in other municipalities, so that for the first time in Kosovo it will be understood based on statistical data how many dogs we have as a country and which measures would work best to reduce the stray dog population humanely and sustainably.

This activity is supported by Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (@KCSFoundation) program ‘EJA Kosovo’, co- financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Sweden, and Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.