The Assembly of the Municipality of Pristina, in the meeting of 27.06.2023, has approved the initiative of the mayor Përparim Rama for the subsidy of 50 euros per month for anyone who adopts street dogs.

While the intention for this initiative may be good, our organization believes that there are currently no conditions for such an initiative to be successfully implemented, and that the focus should be on the sources of the problem, which are dogs with keepers (owners). Therefore, we think that it is much more effective for the municipality’s subsidy initiatives to cover the costs of castration/sterilization of dogs with keepers (owners), since almost 50% of these dogs in the municipality of Pristina are not sterilized, and half of them are allowed to roam unsupervised outside, thus increasing the likelihood of increasing the number of stray dogs through reproduction.

Also, it is important to note that the lack of awareness campaigns for responsible dog ownership is worrying. Irresponsible keeping practices contribute to the increase in the population of stray dogs, and dog keeping in Kosovo largely remains at a very poor level, where dogs are kept in extremely neglectful conditions. Therefore, before starting initiatives to promote adoptions, the municipality should prioritize educating the public about the proper care and responsibilities associated with keeping a dog. Such awareness programs can help prevent future cases of neglect or abandonment.

Any measure to deal with the problem of stray dogs, including the municipality’s initiative to promote adoptions, must be preceded by a proper planning of monitoring and inspections. Without the capacity for inspections and monitoring, any measure is destined to fail. The inspection of households for keeping animals requires a considerable number of inspectors, and now, it is proven that the mandated institutions do not have sufficient human resources for inspections in all areas, nor to implement such initiatives and to guarantee animal welfare.

It is very important that the Municipality of Pristina cooperate closely with law enforcement bodies, especially the Police, to address the issue of mass abandonment of dogs from other cities or regions. This problem not only puts an additional burden on local resources, but also endangers the welfare of these innocent animals.

At the moment, another problem that makes it difficult to implement the initiative for adoption is the lack of a legal basis for responsible keeping of companion animals. According to the Law on Animal Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development is responsible for drafting by-laws for determining the conditions for keeping companion animals. Currently, such a by-law does not exist, and our organization is analyzing the existing legal basis to understand whether this issue can be regulated at the local level.

Mayor Rama, in the last meeting with the civil society, has promised the establishment of the working group and the coordination of all initiatives with activists, and we expect him to respect the promise made and establish the working group before the start of the adoption procedures.

Community dogs, cared for by many citizens, who have adapted to the community, who do not pose a concern to anyone, and who enjoy good health, should not be involved in such initiatives, as long as the number of stray dogs is large and there are quite a lot of dogs that need to be prioritized to find forever homes for. Citizens who take care of the community dogs must be supported by the municipality to continue this care. In this aspect, our organization has constantly proposed, both in local and central institutions, the engagement of ‘neighborhood caretakers’ for stray animals, where these caretakers would care for animals in certain neighborhoods, identify dogs in need of medication, shelter or other treatment, and continuously collect data on the dynamics of dogs in the neighborhoods they are responsible for.

One of our main concerns about the initiative of the municipality of Pristina to promote adoptions is that such financial incentives may attract individuals whose main focus is monetary gain and not the welfare of the dogs. Without a proper legal basis, and without proper screening and evaluation, there is a risk that these animals will end up in the hands of the wrong people. Therefore, the municipality must implement a comprehensive verification process to ensure that potential adopters have the necessary conditions and true intentions to provide a loving and safe home for these dogs.

Additionally, we believe alternative incentives would be more effective in promoting responsible dog adoptions and keeping, and long-term commitment to caring for them. Instead of the municipality relying solely on financial compensation, we encourage the municipality to consider subsidizing other essential aspects of dog keeping. By providing support for veterinary services and food, current and potential dog owners will be able to provide the care and attention these dogs need. This holistic approach ensures that the focus remains on animal welfare, rather than financial gain.

Our organization has consistently insisted that with any animal adoption, an adoption contract must be signed, which requires adopters to provide regular updates on the welfare of the dogs they adopt. This measure also foresees specific obligations for potential adopters, for the conditions they must meet to guarantee the complete well-being of the animal they adopt.

In conclusion, while promoting local adoptions is a good initiative, it is essential that the focus be on the sources of the overpopulation problem. By focusing on responsible dog keeping, awareness campaigns and support for dog keepers (owners), by holding people who abandon, neglect or abuse animals legally accountable, we can create an empathetic community that cares for stray animals.