The Municipality of Mitrovica has allocated €320,000 for the tender for the treatment of dogs on the streets with the CNVR method, as well as the provision of housing for about 100 stray dogs. The winner of this tender was declared DVM Avni Kadriu and his son Blendor Kadriu, owners of separate veterinary entities but within the same family consortium. Their shelter/centre is licensed by Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (KFVA) as a dog shelter, which we look forward to seeing as it is the first KFVA-licensed shelter following the entry into force of Administrative Instruction (AI) 02/2023 for shelters, approved by MAFRD in May 2023.

According to the provisions of this AI, to be licensed, shelter facilities must meet all the conditions defined in the AI, with special emphasis on sufficient workforce, trained for the care and proper treatment of animals.

During the tendering of the project, our organization requested a meeting and met with Mr. Bahtir Maxhuni from the Directorate for Security and Emergency in the Municipality of Mitrovica. During this meeting, we suggested to Mr. Maxhuni that the project also include an awareness campaign for citizens and especially for dog keepers (owners) in Mitrovica, for responsible dog keeping, to prevent the increase of dogs on the streets due to numerous abandonments. It is positive that the Municipality has accepted and included this aspect within the project. It is worth noting that awareness measures and many other issues were also discussed during the workshop held on March 2, 2023 for municipalities for the humane and sustainable management of the dog population, which was organized in cooperation with Four Paws International and in which the Municipality of Mitrovica had participated.

However, we are quite concerned about the issue of animal sheltering, as we know very well that this aspect can be very challenging for the Municipality, but we hope that with a transparent and cooperative approach, the successful management of dogs in need of accommodation will be achieved. Dogs that have been accustomed for a long time to the community and street environment, especially those that have been spayed and neutered in previous years by DVM Labinot Osmani in cooperation with the organization StrayCoCo, must not be taken to the shelter unless it is absolutely necessary.

On July 28, our organization met again with Mr. Maxhuni, who has again confirmed the municipality’s commitment to cooperation with civil society regarding the management of the dog population. The local NGO SAPA, which operates in North Mitrovica, was also present at this meeting.

Some very important points of the joint meeting were also related to the Monitoring and Evaluation of the entire project. We are convinced that effective monitoring mechanisms, characterized by field visits/inspections, accurate keeping of dog registers containing comprehensive demographic and medical data, documentation of capture and handling procedures, and accurate identification of capture and release sites, are necessary to ensure effective use of public money and maintenance of the welfare of treated dogs.

We have also emphasized the importance of a meeting with the economic operator (veterinarian) to be informed about the operation strategy of the shelter. It is extremely important to organize a joint meeting between the operator, the municipality and civil society organizations, so that we are informed about the planned work of the operator.

Our organization recommends that the main focus of this project be on the CNVR measure, identification & registration of dogs with keepers (owners), as well as on the organization of awareness campaigns for responsible dog keeping. Any possible effort to promote dog adoption should first start with a modest group of 5-10 dogs, rather than 100 dogs. The rate of dog adoptions in our country remains at a very low level, therefore it is important that any shelter initiative is accompanied by campaigns to promote local adoptions.

In addition, we have emphasized the importance of the municipality’s commitment on identifying and registering dogs with keepers (owners) as well as subsidizing the castration/sterilization of these dogs, since the main source of street dogs comes from dogs with keepers (owners), who also reproduce without the will or planning of the keepers (owners).

Only by implementing measures such as Identification and Registration, continuous awareness campaigns and CNVR programs, in coordination with a strategic plan and strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, the Municipality of Mitrovica (but also other municipalities) will be able to effectively address the problem of dog population management. It should be noted that the management of the dog population, is not regulated by the Administrative Instruction 02/2023 for shelters but through the National Strategy for the management of the dog population. Unfortunately, even officials from AVUK and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development have spread this misconception. The AI for shelters describes conditions for dog care and shelter protocols but does not ensure the reduction of stray dogs or the improvement of the problem. Reducing dogs on the streets requires the simultaneous implementation of several measures, as highlighted in the National Strategy and Action Plan.

Our organization calls on all citizens in Mitrovica to monitor the situation with the treatment of stray dogs, reporting any irregularities they encounter. It is the duty of the entire community to commit to ensuring the effectiveness of public projects and the efficient spending of public funds.

Furthermore, we call on the Municipality of Mitrovica to carefully supervise the operation of the center/shelter, ensuring compliance with the legal obligations that support the dignified and humane treatment of dogs. We thank Mr. Bahtir Maxhuni for the open approach and cooperation so far.