Dogs of the Balkans
Our rescue operations also take place abroad, especially in countries where conditions for animals are very difficult. Every dog we rescue gets a chance at a new home.
More than a million dogs without a home.
More than a million homeless dogs live in the Balkans. Their daily reality is harsh — hunger, cold, disease and constant danger. Even though it's Europe, in many regions the situation still doesn't match the animal welfare standards we're used to elsewhere.
A large share of these dogs were born right on the street. They've never known safety, regular food or human care. Others were abandoned — often due to relocation, poverty or irresponsible breeding. Without spay/neuter programs the problem keeps deepening and the stray dog population keeps growing.
Despite these conditions, Balkan dogs are often very friendly, quick to learn and grateful. Every adoption isn't just saving one life — it's also hope for the other dogs waiting for their chance.
- 1 000 000+homeless dogsliving on the streets of the Balkans
- 2countriesBosnia and Herzegovina · Romania
- 10 daysuntil euthanasiain so-called „death camps“
A country with a serious situation.
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has long been very serious. The country struggles with a large number of abandoned and stray dogs living in poor conditions, often suffering from hunger, disease and a lack of basic care. This problem stems from a combination of inadequate legislation, weak enforcement of animal protection laws and a lack of systematic spay/neuter programs.
Almost every region suffers from dog overpopulation, with dogs surviving on the streets, in landfills or abandoned buildings, exposed to extreme weather and human indifference.
In some places, dog-catching facilities still function as "death camps" — unclaimed dogs are euthanised after 10 days, often in a very cruel manner.
Despite this reality, many dedicated volunteers and organisations work in Bosnia and Herzegovina to change the situation. They provide dogs with food, veterinary care, organise spay/neuter surgeries and find new homes, mostly abroad.
One of the most serious situations in all of Europe.
The situation in Romania is among the most serious in all of Europe. Uncontrolled breeding of dogs has long led to an enormous number of homeless animals. Many of them end their lives on the streets, facing hunger, disease and constant danger.
Some dogs are caught into state facilities meant to control the stray population. In practice, however, these facilities are often overcrowded and nicknamed "death camps". Dogs there live under stress, without adequate care, and it's their last stop if a home or rescue isn't found for them soon. These state facilities receive subsidies for euthanasia, which are often misused, and dogs are killed in cruel ways.
Despite these problems, many non-profit organisations and volunteers in Romania work actively to address the situation. They rescue dogs from the streets and from "death camps", provide veterinary care, arrange spay/neuter surgeries and find them new homes, mostly abroad.
Every adoption represents real change — not only for that specific dog, but for the whole overloaded system.
