There are currently around 6,000 abandoned dogs in the streets of Sarajevo and that number is increasing, according to the chief of the Sarajevo Canton Veterinary Station Nasiha Spahic.

Speaking to Fena news agency, she said that a lot of effort is put into preventing the breeding of abandoned dogs, but that all this will not show results until the awareness changes and citizens begin to understand what responsible ownership is.

Speaking about the new Adoption Centre in Praca, which began to be reconstructed in the middle of last year, Spahic 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 accommodate dogs, furnish the administrative building, build retaining walls and exterior decoration.

After the completion of the first phase of construction, Spahic added, the capacity will be around 100 places, while with the full completion of the facilities, 150 to 200 accommodation places will be available.

She clarified that citizens will not be able to bring in abandoned dogs themselves, but that dogs will be accepted only through the authorised rendering service of the ‘Rad’ company.

“However, citizens will be able to come for visits and socialise with these dogs, which will be fully processed according to all legal provisions, and will have the opportunity to adopt a dog,” she said.

According to Spahic, the center will be built in accordance with 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 systemic solution to the problem of stray dogs in Sarajevo Canton.