Spay & neuter program
Systematic spaying and neutering of stray dogs in and around Sarajevo — the most effective, humane and internationally recommended solution to overpopulation. Prevention instead of dealing with the consequences.
The fundraiser for the 2026 spring spay/neuter program has been successfully completed. Thank you to everyone who helped. We're launching the next public fundraiser in December 2026.
- 6 000+stray dogsestimated population around Sarajevo
- 24puppies / yearfrom a single unspayed female
- 60–100 €cost of a spay/neuterfull procedure including care
Hundreds of thousands of dogs with nowhere to return.
Hundreds of thousands of stray dogs live in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They're born on the street, fight for survival and often die without any help. Most towns and municipalities lack the capacity or resources for systematic prevention.
As a result, the population grows uncontrollably. This leads to further animal suffering, social tension and, unfortunately, inhumane interventions — from mass catching to euthanasia in state shelters.
A proven solution exists: systematic spaying and neutering of stray dogs. It has a long-term, measurable impact and solves the problem at its source — not just its consequences.
Four steps, one goal.
We build the program on cooperation with local vets and volunteers. Every phase is documented and measurable.
- 01
Cooperation with vets
We run the program with vetted Bosnian veterinary clinics experienced in spaying/neutering stray dogs, who provide full post-operative care.
- 02
Catching and identification
Together with local volunteers we identify locations with the highest concentration of stray dogs. Dogs are gently caught, treated and marked.
- 03
Spaying/neutering and treatment
Every dog undergoes a veterinary check-up, spay/neuter surgery under anaesthesia, deworming and basic treatment. The procedure meets EU standards.
- 04
Return and monitoring
Healthy dogs return to their location after recovery. We continue to monitor the situation together with local partners and evaluate the impact.
A transparent budget.
The cost of the procedure varies with the size and sex of the dog. The price covers everything needed for a safe procedure and recovery:
- ✓Veterinary check-up
- ✓Anaesthesia and the procedure
- ✓Medical supplies
- ✓Deworming and basic treatment
- ✓Post-operative care
- ✓Registration and marking
After each phase we publish the number of treated dogs and the actual costs. Fundraisers run exclusively through the verified platform Znesnáze21.
What people ask most often.
- Why spaying/neutering, and not shelter catching?
- Shelter capacity in Bosnia has long been overcrowded, and many shelters are so-called kill shelters. Spaying/neutering solves the problem at its source — new puppies simply aren't born on the street. It's a method recommended by the WHO and international veterinary associations.
- Do the dogs return to the street?
- Healthy, socialised dogs return to their territory after recovery, where they no longer produce puppies but hold their ground — limiting the influx of other untreated dogs. Dogs in serious condition or puppies are handled individually with partner organisations.
- How do you make sure the money actually goes to spay/neuter surgeries?
- The program has a published budget and we keep records of every neutered dog. After each phase we publish results, numbers and costs. The fundraiser runs through the verified platform Znesnáze21.
- How can I help when there's no public fundraiser running?
- We collect contributions for the spay/neuter program every year from December to May/June, followed by the surgeries themselves. The next fundraiser starts again in December. Between fundraisers you can help by spreading the word.
You can contribute to the program every year from December to May.
The 2026 spring public fundraiser is closed. From May to June the procedures funded so far take place. We're launching the next public fundraiser in December 2026.