The Municipality of Prishtina has finally signed the contract for the treatment of stray dogs with the CNVR method (catch, neuter, vaccinate, release), as provided by the Administrative Instruction (MAFRD) 04/2017.

The winning subject who will treat stray dogs, is “Veterina 1” LLC, with DVM Shefki Ajdini.

This contract includes the castration/sterilization and rabies vaccination of about 700 dogs in the municipality of Prishtina.

It is good news that the Municipality of Prishtina after a long “break” is resuming the treatment of stray dogs; a break that caused a lot of suffering for dogs, animal protection activists and society in general due to attacks by stray dogs.

Due to the institutional negligence of the previous governance of the municipality, the number of new births of stray dogs has increased tremendously. Every day we read posts on social media and receive calls that many puppies have been abandoned somewhere on the street by the very people who keep dogs as a companion animal. Many young puppies have found death due to extreme winter weather. On the other hand, many children have suffered by being bitten and are traumatized by an attack or bite from stray dogs.

CNVR projects in the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo should not be stopped at any moment and when the number of 700 treatments is completed, the municipality should have the next project available, without wasting any time.

These projects also require proper and comprehensive monitoring, so we will soon ask to the Municipality of Prishtina to be a part of the monitoring of the project (starting from the surgery room to the treatment & welfare of animals). During the joint meeting with the Mayor of Prishtina, Mr. Perparim Rama, he welcomed this proposal.

CNVR projects will never be effective unless intensive registration of dogs with keepers/owners animals is implemented. Other parallel measures should be undertaken (in cooperation with the central level), to significantly reduce the number and reproduction of dogs on the street, as we have explained in our proposal for a national strategy: https://bit.ly/2VRj4HI

It is worth noting that CNVR projects only provide for the castration/sterilization of dogs and vaccination against rabies, and unfortunately do not cover emergencies of dog injuries and diseases. Rescue centers, especially for cases requiring urgent treatment, should be planned and built by the responsible institutions.