According to the estimates of the Veterinary Station in the area of Sarajevo Canton, there are currently around 6,000 abandoned dogs and that number is increasing, said the director of that institution, Nasiha Spahić.
She claims that they are putting a lot of effort into preventing the breeding of abandoned dogs, but that all this will not show results until the citizens’ consciousness changes and they begin to understand what responsible ownership is.
Speaking about the new Adoption Center in Prača, which began to be reconstructed in the middle of last year, Spahić said that the first phase of construction will be completed this year, and that the other two phases will be completed by the end of 2026.
She explained that the first phase of construction includes the demolition of existing buildings, preparation of the construction site, the main building of the shelter, three pavilions for caring for abandoned dogs and the necessary infrastructure network.
In the remaining two phases, she emphasized, two additional pavilions will be built to house dogs, equip the administrative building, build retaining walls and exterior landscaping.
After the completion of the first phase of construction, Spahić added, the capacity will be around 100 places, while with the complete completion of the building, 150 to 200 accommodation places will be available.
Spahić clarified that citizens will not be able to bring in abandoned dogs themselves, but that dogs will be accepted only through the authorized rendering service of KJKP “Rad”.
“However, citizens will be able to come on trips and hang out with these dogs, which will be fully processed according to all legal provisions, and they will have the opportunity to adopt a dog,” she said.
Spahić concluded, the center will be built according to high standards of animal welfare and will represent a significant step towards sustainable, humane and legally acceptable management of the dog population, as well as a systematic solution to the problem of stray dogs in Sarajevo Canton.
