Improving the Strategy for Managing Stay Dogs
Similar to many parts of Albania and the Balkans, stray dogs have been an issue for many years in Shkoder. As the population of our city grows and as we become more popular with tourists, conflict between humans and dogs have also increased.
Bashkia Shkodër knows we need to improve the strategy we have been using to manage the stray dogs. That is why we have started a stray dog program that is managed internally by the Department of Agriculture. It was launched in late April 2024 after the completion of a second municipal shelter.
This new program focuses on finding a balance between the safety of the public and the welfare of the dogs. It will solve current issues and proactively prevent future problems. The three major components of the program are sheltering, sterilization, and registration.
Studies have shown that stray dog programs that include both sheltering and sterilization deliver better results and that the results last longer. But, to maintain that positive result and to keep improving, there must be large-scale sterilization of stray and pet dogs, and the abandonment of pet dogs and newborn puppies must be prevented. That requires the registration of all dogs in the future.
Solving this problem humanely will take some time. We believe managing it internally and adding the second shelter will help. Cooperation from pet owners and animal rescue groups in sterilizing and vaccinating the dogs in their care will be very helpful too. From making sure we properly place our garbage into the garbage bins to adopting the shelter dogs, all of us can play a positive role in this important effort.
Bashkia Shkodër welcomes your cooperation and support!