Animal Activist Interviewed about Flood Disaster in Bosnia

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Dalida Kozlić (BiH): Aktivisti rade 24/7! Interview of Dalida Kozlic by Rujana Jeger in Bez Dlake Na Jeziku

Translation of the interview into English:

Dalida Kozlić is an ideal spokesperson on the topic of protection of animals. She is a lawyer who deals with the legal protection of animals, including documentation and reporting of crimes of torture and killing of animals, as well as the failure to implement and violations of provisions of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This young girl (24) is an activist for animal rights and a rescuer with more than 15 years of experience. We began to correspond when I saw Damir Janacek’s movie ” Kinofil “, which drew my attention to the situation of stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the abuse of animals in general. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina has been hit by the worst floods ever, I am wondering how animals are being rescued.

BDNJ : Dalida, we know that the flooding has affected a big part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation is catastrophic, tell us more details …

DK : The situation is terrible, especially in Doboj, Maglaj, Orašje, Odzak, Bijeljina, Bosanski Samac. Damage to properties and infrastructure will be almost the same as damage from the war. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Over one million people have no access to drinking water, thousands of people have lost their homes due to floods or landslides which have been destroying hundreds of houses. Homecoming will be a slow process for many people. Many houses were destroyed or became unsafe because of the huge quantity of water. Many of the affected areas have lost literally everything. Restoration of terrain will be a long and slow process.

BDNJ : What is the situation for the animals ? We know that there are a lot of stray dogs in BiH…

DK : Unfortunately , many animals were killed. In some areas all livestock died. Many wild animals were killed in landslides, and many left their habitats. Many stray animals died too. Some stray animals escaped to forests and mountains. Unfortunately, many of them were injured or they drowned in the water. It has been reported that many people organised rescue operations for stray animals, pets and livestock. There were cases where people didn’t want to be evacuated without their animals. Unfortunately, people were not in such solidarity with the animals in some parts of Bosnia. Many cattle weren’t discharged from the stables and corral; too many animals remained tied with chains in some areas. Some of them were rescued, and some weren’t saved. There is a very positive aspect that many people have been doing their best to save the animals for more than 10 days, but there is a terrible side that many animals have been left at the mercy of nature – consciously by the owner.

BDNJ : Has the government done something in terms of rescuing of animals and their care?

DK : The reaction of the state when it comes to animals is as usual inadequate. Prevention and / or suppression of the epidemic ought to be a priority. Not enough or nothing was done to rescue animals during floods since many of them had been wounded or sick. Given that there are numerous obstructions in the implementation of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act, injured and sick animals have nowhere to be placed. The Veterinary Office and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of Sarajevo have been working in the field of combating epidemics of various diseases, given that corpses of animals and garbage is being removed very slowly, and that temperatures are very high.

BDNJ : Many volunteers and members of animal protection associations have been saving animals in Croatia. What is the situation like in Bosnia?

DK : Many activists, rescuers and volunteers have been saving animals in Bosnia. We are working 24/7 to provide food, medications, veterinary assistance and fostering for the animals. We do not have any help from the state. Many international organizations and individuals are helping us in different ways. It is very important to act preventively because of diseases and to provide vaccines and medications. Also, activists continue to organise the rescue of animals in the flooded areas. I express my great appreciation to the organisations Marianne’s Dog Food Bank and Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have given us all possible assistance in rescuing of animals. These organizations have been fighting for animal rights in Bosnia and enabled the rescue of thousands of animals. Their help is invaluable and I have to point out that many animals have been rescued in the previous period. Many activists are constantly on the field and provide all possible care and help for animals. I want to thank to the wonderful teams from Sarajevo (Jelena , Alica, Edina , Arijana , etc ) and Tuzla (Amila, Ivana ) for the courage and dedication they have shown .

BDNJ : Does it seem to you that this disaster somewhat has changed the attitude of people towards animals ? Are people aware that we equal are in the face of all horrors?

DK : The consciousness of people about animals has changed in some parts of Bosnia. People have expressed their support to the most helpless creatures, but unfortunately in some areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina it is not going to happen for a long time.

BDNJ : What is happening with the legislative procedure on the draft amendments to Animal Protection and Welfare Act of BiH, which provides for the euthanasia of stray dogs ?

DK : Proposal for changes and amendments to the Animal Protection and Welfare Law contains obscene, primitive and inhuman provisions for euthanasia of healthy stray animals that are fostered in shelters (which have never been created) for stray animals, if they are not adopted in 14 days. Legal procedure is not completed and no one knows when it will be finished in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly since a vice president and member of the House of Peoples Sulejman Tihic has cancer. For this reason, meeting of the Collegiums of the House of Peoples cannot be held to discuss amendments to the Animal Protection and Welfare Act. We hope that the face of disaster will show people that all suffer equally and that there is no need to inflict more pain when there are humane solutions. And finally, here you can see the documentary Kinofil. It is very sad. And very good.

More about Dalida and how you can support her work here.

If you can help in the fundraising effort to assist rescue groups in the aftermath of the floods please donate via our YouCaring or via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you! No amount is too small.

For ongoing updates please see our Facebook page AWABosnia

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

On our sister site, Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia, you can set up a monthly donation via PayPal, or if you want to make a one-off donation, please go to your PayPal account (or set one up, it’s very easy) and send the money to: donations@awabosnia.org . Click on the image below to be taken to PayPal’s home page.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

If you want your contribution to go to a specific dog or cause, please make a note in the PayPal comment box. If you wish to contribute via bank transfer or have other difficulties or questions, please go here.

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This site is dedicated to Vučko. Read his story and don’t let him have suffered and died in vain. Please help the stray dogs and cats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The situation there is utterly dire, Vučko is but one amongst many horrifically abused animals. Go here to find out how to help them. Money is needed for food, medicine and foster housing. Even just one dollar or one euro will help.

BOSNIA FLOODING: ANIMAL RESCUERS AT WORK

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

1466143_10204120508715762_4719223288492878201_n Rescuers have been working around the clock in the most severely affected areas of Bosnia Herzegovina.

Our respect goes out to everyone involved – rescuers from Marianne’s Dog Food Bank, Angel’s Breath, Journalists for Animals, Andjeo Sarajevo, in particular Caki Bravo, and so many other individuals who have joined in the efforts. Your donations have helped save lives, thank you so much! Help is still needed, please keep sharing our YouCaring Fundraiser.

Pictures speak louder than words…

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One story: today, on the way to Orasje to assist with emergency rescue efforts Andjeo Sarajevo saw this dog….

This dog had a family before the floods. His family has lost everything they had in the flooding. They could not take care of the dog anymore. It is injured and slowly but surely starving to death. People asked Andjeo Sarajevo to put the dog down by driving their car over it to end his suffering.

Andjeo Sarajevo will bring the dog to safety. He has been named Dean after a generous animal advocate in Ireland, and has just been offered a home in Finland.

But this is the reality of the situation. So many people have nothing – their homes washed away in the floods, they had so little before and now they have nothing.

If you can help please donate via our YouCaring or via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you! No amount is too small.

For ongoing updates please see our Facebook page AWABosnia

_____________________________________________

DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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CRISES IN BOSNIA CONTINUES…. dogs and cats abandoned and stranded!

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Animal rescuers have been working around the clock in Bosnia – but the situation is desperate and rain has started again… So far, no international animal welfare organisations are able to assist with the evacuation and rescue of dogs and cats and rescuers lack enough manpower, cars and also boats to actually get to areas where dogs and cats are stranded and starving. It’s a critical situation.

Rescuers from Tuzla area (Amila Citakovic, Dutch Lansky and Ivana Tomic with Marianne’s Dog Food Bank and Angel’s Breath) have been in the Samac area which has been severely affected. In the last days they took 300 kilos of dog food, medication for dogs, blankets and many other supplies try to set up a safe place for evacuated dogs. They have managed to get official permission to enter Bosanski Samac from the crisis headquarters of Republika Srpska and are organising an evacuation of dogs in Samac and Orasje area this weekend. Volunteers are needed, those who are experienced with frightened and disorientated dogs. They need cars, a boat, leashes, collars, building materials, vet care, everything.

Our group, AWAB, have been in contact with Four Paws but they are currently in Serbia and cannot get to Samac to assist with the evacuation.

We have been distributing funds from our YouCaring fundraiser to as many groups and rescuers as possible.

500 Kgs of food was brought to Zenica for Sapa Zenca organistion to distribute in the Zenica area and another 500 Kgs to Andjeo Sarajevo to distribute, all thanks to your donations…. (and to the help of Almir Kuduz of King Pension in Sarajevo).

We have a special ‘thank you’ video for all who have donated:

The work is not over. Please keep sharing the fundraiser. Most of the funds in it have already been distributed and there is much work still to be done.

In the last days the Tuzla rescuers have visited the flooded villages of Vojskova and Prud but were prevented from entering by the police as the priority for authorities was to take out dead animals. These are villages with many farms – many animals are dead there, mostly pigs and cows. Civilians could not enter these areas. The rescuers spoke to the people there and were told that they are trying to feed dogs and cats that are still alive and on second floors of houses, and these people promised to keep them all alive until the water withdraws. Right now, corpses are floating around the area.

When the rescuers went to Bosanski Samac, a town hit by floods in the worst possible way, they were unable to enter the town without permission from the authorities (which they later received). Temperatures were high – 30 degrees. The town emitted a horrifying smell. Dogs who had managed to get out of the flooded town had been gathering in a pack at the army point. Reports are that hunters have been killing dogs. This was confirmed from several sources to rescuers and by soldiers and volunteers helping to evacuate people.

The State Veterinary Office has been contacted about shooting of dogs. ThIs is what we know: basically Bih is in a phase of risk assessment and risk and damage control, (referring to health risk hazard). Major risk management includes elimination of transmission of diseases, and dogs are considered to be one way disease can be transmitted.

However, shooting would NOT be considered a official method of destruction or elimination – bleeding in the water or on the soil will cause greater risk of diseases. Bosnia is in a major danger risk zone for an outburst of epidemic diseases

Risk management is important but certainly every decision on destruction/killing of animals must be assessed first and if justified (and only a vet and medical doctor should be able to state this) it must be applied in a controlled manner and environment. It is critical that the law on animal welfare is to be followed when it comes to method of killing. If shooting occurred it has to be proven and prevented, but resources to do this are lacking, and, if you have been reading this blog you know that illegal shooting of strays (and even owned dogs) is a very common occurrence. This situation has every possibility of being abused – as a carte blanche for mass killings of stray dogs (not that there are many survivors…)

The rescuers from Tuzla fed and helped as many dogs and cats as they could as they passed from village to village but it was often very difficult. Dogs who once had owners, were running around absolutely disoriented, totally wet. There was one particularly awful incident: “We lack words to describe the horror in their eyes. Took a while for them to notice we are calling them. They were just running around with no direction. A smaller dog got hit by a car in front of our eyes, we started screaming, the dog started running in even bigger hysteria. No injuries. Only shaking body and frightened look. We managed to catch them and get them into the car immediately. After placing them in the car all three of us started laughing, thinking how happy we are to get them, but in only 3 seconds laughter turned into crying. We have seen many things, but such horrifying state, confusion and despair – never.”

Rescuers from Sarajevo (Andjeo Sarajevo and Journalists for Animals and others) have also been active: they brought donations of dog and cat food for people who have animals but don’t have food to feed them. Also, they were able to deliver items of food and other necessities for people that had been donated locally.

They once again visited the ‘horror’ shelters of Gorazde and Foca.

Fortunately, these towns were not severely affected by the floods but the shelters are still entirely inhumane for the housing of dogs, particularly Gorazde. They still keep too many dogs at the shelters, and they keep a lot of dogs in small cages. Luckily the man working there allowed Andjeo Sarajevo to bring food and water to the dogs.

“We noticed immediately that something was wrong with one of the dogs… A small terrier is completely blind and the other dogs are jumping all over him, fighting for their survival, while this poor little boy doesn’t know what is happening to him. He was trying to get to us so that we could pet him, but it was impossible through the gratings. We asked the worker to permit us to take him out and take pictures of him, so that we could try to find him a home. We got to take the pictures, but he told us that we had to call the director and ask for permission if we wanted to take him with us.

We called the director, who didn’t seem very interested. He told us that he was out of town, and told us to come back on Saturday and fill out the adoption forms before we could take him with us. We left bags of food for the and the worker told us that we were welcome to bring them food any time, it would to them good because they were mostly fed white bread. We also found a Labrador, 9 years old, left by police officer who had said: “he is not good, don’t want to sniff drugs”. He is an adorable dog, well behaved… is there anyone who want to give this beauty a home? He has all papers and vaccines..so he is ready for forever adoption. We will pick both dogs up up on Saturday.”

The rescuers also donated food to the shelter in Foca. There were only three dogs there, but they never keep many dogs. It is likely the kill them and launder money from the authorities through the few dogs they keep there. No photographs were allowed to be taken of Foca shelter, but the rescuers brought food and fresh water.

One more dog was saved, from Doboj, another very badly hit area. “When I started my car she was barking and calling us to stop. When I pulled over my car she just sit in front of it and stare at us asking to take her with us. She is the size of pekinese, adorable and just want to be hugged and loved. So, we couldn’t leave her there wondering will she be alive tomorrow. So, she settled nicely on the back seat of my car and finally had calm sleep all the way to Sarajevo and her new temporary home till her forever home We named her DOBI”

Bodies of dogs and cats are being found everywhere. There are so many sad stories: Upon returning home after the flood, a resident of Topčić found his dog who did not survive the terrible floods….

Also, cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens have been left to die in the water. Epidemiologists say that many infectious diseases will be spreading within next few weeks. Many animals are injured. Many of them will be sick.The rescuers need your help to buy food, medications and to pay veterinary bills for vaccinations to help stop the spread of disease. Most rescuers are unemployed and so cannot afford to pay for such things.

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If you can help please donate via our YouCaring or via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you! No amount is too small.

For ongoing updates please see our Facebook page AWABosnia

News articles and videos:

Balkans floods: Edin Dzeko urges world to help Bosnia
Under the surface of the Balkan floods lies a social disaster
Floods have united the people of the Balkans
Video of rescue of dogs in flooded parts of Croatia by members of Croatian Mountain Rescue Service
Video showing how Doboj town in Bosnia was flooded within few minutes
Civilians Banned From Bosnia Villages After Flood

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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Day of Mourning in Bosnia Herzegovina.. how many animals have died?

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared today a day of mourning for those killed in the floods. At least 17 people have died.

No one has counted the death toll of the animals – the cats, the dogs, the farm animals. In just one farm – Borojević farm in Bosanski Šamac municipality, 400 cows drowned.
Gallery and news article (in Bosnian). There was one survivor…
We have just heard that this town has maybe one hundred dogs surviving but abandoned, without food – both stray and owned, and this is only one small area! Rescuers are trying to organise a trip there to bring food.

The government says 1 million people, or a quarter of the population, have been affected by the flooding and landslides, comparing the destruction to that of the country’s 1992-95 war. This is a natural disaster beyond the comprehension of anyone in the country. They have never suffered something like this in living memory. There are landslides and mudslides everywhere, roads and railway lines are destroyed and will cost more money than the country has to rebuild, and the floods have moved land mines left there since the war, which will endanger the lives of survivors and rescue workers.

Someone from Doboj (one of the worst affected areas) said the water came into his town so quickly it was already 3 metres deep within an hour, and by the time the alarm sirens were sounded it was already there. People and animals had no chance.

Andjeo Sarajevo animal welfare charity and other rescuers are working in all areas of Sarajevo and have visited many badly hit areas – they spent this last weekend in Olovo, Maglaj and Doboj helping both people and animals. They have released trapped and hurt animals, fed stray dogs and cats as well as owned dogs and cats from people who have lost everything. Andjeo Sarajevo also visited one of the ‘horror’ shelters in Doboj and fed the surviving dogs there.

Rescuers from Tuzla area (Marianne’s Dog Food Bank organisation and others) have fed animals, rescued dogs from drowning, made shelters for street dogs, left food for packs of dogs and people who feed them. They also brought to the vet a litter of puppies with canine parvovirus. They distributed about 400 kg of dog and cat food to rescuers in Tuzla and other people feeding dogs and visited the areas struck by landslides in Tuzla.

This group was instrumental in assisting the 171 dogs in Orasje shelter. They were telephoned with the news that imminent disaster could strike… They rushed to buy water supplies, blankets, working gloves, canned food in case they got stuck there for few days, and about 40 kilos of dog and cat food. As one rescuer said: “Mixed feelings and surroundings reminding us of the war time…People making barricades to slow down water if it comes fast. Landslides and houses gone all along the way. News on the radio bringing nothing encouraging…”

Orasje shelter is one of the best in the country, supported by Animal-Kind International and BAF. When rescuers arrived all was well but they prepared cages in front of each kennel so they could rescue dogs should flooding occur.

“And than we waited… The most horrible thing – hoping for the best, expecting the worse. Every now and then we went out on the road to gather information from people in charge for this area. And in meanwhile, played with dogs, helped shelter team clean storage room… As night came close, we got information that the road back home is closed. We spent the night in Svetlana`s home, with
her wonderful dogs, while she and shelter stuff kept watch at the shelter… Nobody called for help during night – we feared this the most. Another day in the shelter we spent a little bit more relaxed, as information we got confirmed situation is under control. Measures are still taken at the spot, and nobody knows what tomorrow brings… One thing we know though, just a phone call and we will be on our way there again! Villages not further than only 3 km from shelter are completely flooded, people evacuated. We were well aware the worst can happen fast, but at the same time – it`s like we spent these 2 days on another planet, surrounded by wagging tails in beautiful shelter. We thank everyone for donating in last days and enabling us to help where needed. Many dogs were fed on the way to Orasje and back.”

Tomorrow Andjeo Sarajevo and Journalists for Animals will drive to dog shelters in Foča, and Gorazde and other critically affected areas in BiH. It is a 2-3 hour drive to Foča and no one knows how the roads are. They will stop along the way to feed strays and any abandoned animals they find.

We are very grateful for the generous donations – so much has been done with your help. But the catastrophe is not over, help is still desperately needed. Donations for petrol, veterinary care, food, everything. We are distributing the funds amongst several groups and independent rescuers. No amount is too small, with 10 euros it is possible can buy 10 kilos of dry food for dogs.

ALSO: supporters in Germany have donated 1.6 tons of food supplies – Royal Canine food (one year to expiry date), which they plan to deliver as soon as possible to Bosnia – they have the truck for the transport, the only thing missing now is the petrol money (and the driver). All in all, they are trying to raise EUR 800 for the transport, so we hope to help with this if not pay for all of the funds needed. This amount of food would cost far more in Bosnia and it is high quality food, much needed. Food will be divided amongst the most needy shelters and areas and rescuers, throughout Bosnia.

If you can help please donate via our YouCaring or via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you!!

For ongoing updates please see our Facebook page AWABosnia
News articles:

A ‘1,000 Year’ Flood Wrecked The Balkans, Destroying 100,000 Buildings And Homes
Bosnia, Serbia declares national mourning, flood toll rises
Historic Floods : Worst Flooding in more than a Century hits Eastern Europe (YouTube)
Toll mounts as thousands flee Balkan flooding (YouTube)

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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Floods, nana and her cake

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Another story from Journalists for Animals – on the trip to Olovo on the 17th. Please read…

We are sending funds to the organisation ‘Angel’ (Andjeo Sarajevo) and to Journalists for Animals to continue their work and several other organisations involved in the emergency work. If you can help please go to our YouCaring Fundraiser. Any amount will help, money is needed for dog and cat food, petrol, veterinary costs, car hire…
http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/state-of-emergency-in-bosnia-help-the-animals-/179177

journalists for animals

Yesterday we visited Olovo. If I had to describe what we saw there in one word that word would surely be sorrow. Along with us, a Red Cross vehicle also headed for Olovo. When we came to town we were surrounded by a sad atmosphere, of people ejecting water from their cellers, cleaning their flooded houses and apartments, lacking in food and water, hoping things will get better, and thanking us for coming by to ask how they were doing.

After Olovo we headed for Zavidovici. We passed trough the flooded villages of Bogdanovici, Krizevici, Solun, Kamenito. “Angel” activists gave away animal food, for those who had nothing left to feed their pets. We could not reach the Rjecica village as it was too dangerous, even in a terrain vehicle to cross the Krivaja river. The locals say that the situation is desperate. They say that the villagers there fled…

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Activists from Sarajevo visit Doboj dog shelter

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

News from the latest efforts by activists in the emergency situation in Doboj, Bosnia Herzegovina.

If you want to help, please go to our YouCaring Fundraiser: https://www.youcaring.com/BosniaEmergency

journalists for animals

Today activists activists from Animal health and protection association “Angel” from Sarajevo visited dog shelter at Doboj.

Like the rest of the town the shelter that is 12 km outside of the town is enveloped in ghastly atmosphere.

According to the activist “A pregnant bitch unfortunately died. Her dead body is located near the place where another bitch recently gave birth to puppies. It is terrible to see dogs literally swallowing food, and judging by the amount of fesses in the boxes, the dogs haven’s had any visitors in a while.”

They express hope that the Preslica shelter management will soon normalize the catastrophic state of the shelter.

Journalistsforanimals.worldpress.com will attempt to contact the management and give you the other side of the story as soon as possible.

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THE CRISIS CONTINUES: all help still needed for the dogs and cats of Bosnia!

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

It is day five of the emergency situation in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing donations! Rescue work continues with food being brought to stranded dogs and cats. Areas most affected are now being driven to as the water begins to subside.

While the Red Cross, the European Forces, the Slovenian Army, the UK Flood Response team and other organisations are assisting, as far as we know the only people trying to help strays and dogs and cats abandoned from evacuations are a tiny handful of animal advocates and groups like Marianne’s Dog Food Bank in Tuzla and Sapa Zenica in Zenica. We are distributing funds raised between as many as we can. PLEASE KEEP SHARING OUR FUNDRAISER.

The news is ongoingly terrible: at least 25 people dead and fears that landmines will be exposed after the torrential rain. Tens of thousands of homes are left without electricity or drinking water. We have no idea of the death toll of the animals.

“Bosnia is facing a horrible catastrophe,” said Bakir Izetbegovic, the chairman of the Bosnian three-man presidency. “We are still not fully aware of actual dimensions of the catastrophe … we will have to take care of hundreds, thousands of people.”

Many people’s bodies have been recovered so far in Doboj. Word is that whole families died trapped in cars and vehicles when caught in flushing floods in the area. There is one of Bosnia’s ‘horror’ dog shelters in Doboj… rescuers have just reached it and tell us the situation there is critical. There is no food or water for the dogs.

Around 5000 houses are flooded in Prijedor municipality, 40,000 people are left without drinking water because municipal water system is flooded. Fedin Gunic’s safe haven for over 100 rescue dogs and cats shelter is without water.

In the northern town Banja Luka, the river Vrbas overflowed. “We have been waiting for the rescuers for hours, too many people are in danger,” Milanka Stojic, a 62-year-old pensioner said.Volunteers were trying to collect hundreds of stranded cattle that have fled flooded farms around Banja Luka, according to Mirko Ostojic, the owner of a dairy farm. “Many animals are trapped in the mud and dozens of sheep have just been swept away by the floods,” Ostojic said.

Embankments in Orašje have been breached by Sava river and settlements Vidovice and Kopanice are being flooded and evacuation of people has just begun. Dogs are being evacuated from Orašje dog shelter, supported by Animal-Kind International and BAF (Stichting Dierenopvang Bosnië)

Also as the rescuers drive to the most affected areas they are of course coming across people in dire need, who stop the car and hope for some bread or water. As one of the animal rescuers said: “This is so embarrassing .. we feel ashamed ..People jumping in front of our car begging for food..People just begging me to give one bag of dog food thinking it is bread. This is terrible – People in Maglaj are starving, stopping our car, asking for food.” ***If you want to help with some funds so the rescuers have something to give please donate directly via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org but make sure to mark you donation for ‘human food and water’.***

Help is needed for the animals! Donations for petrol, veterinary care, food, everything. No amount is too small, with 10 euros it is possible can buy 10 kilos of dry food for dogs. If you can help please donate via our YouCaring or Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you!

News:
Bosnia and Serbia floods: thousands flee as death toll rises
LIVE BLOGS AND UPDATES: DEVASTATING FLOODS IN BOSNIA AND SERBIA
Bosnia floods create new land-mine risk in Balkans

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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DAY THREE: STATE OF EMERGENCY – all help needed!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

The government of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina has declared a state of natural disaster.

Overflowing rivers have burst into towns and villages, cutting off whole communities, landslides have buried houses. Whole suburbs of Sarajevo and other towns have been submerged. Army helicopters have been sent to evacuate thousands of stranded residents but reports say bad weather is hampering the rescue efforts.

All animal rescuers are doing everything they can but with great difficulty as the worst hit areas are impossible to reach. We’ve raised donations for food supplies for strays and animals left behind but now there is a concern that local stores are not even able to supply enough.

Even when flooding ceases, the situation will continue to be critical as we are probably looking at outbreaks of canine parvovirus, distemper, demodex and other diseases. So the rescue efforts need to be sustained!

We have contacted WVS and they have stated they will try to assist. In the meantime we continue to fundraise and have created a special YouCaring fundraiser for the emergency efforts:

There is devastation everywhere, not just for dogs but for cats too…on BHT1 TV channel today (Bosnia Herzegovina public national broadcaster) the reporter from Doboj town explained how bad the situation is in Doboj and at the end of his report he added that there are many cats on roofs of houses and buildings that he can see from his apartment…

Drowned animals are found everywhere….

Help is needed! Donations for petrol, veterinary care, food, everything. No amount is too small, with 10 euros it is possible can buy 10 kilos of dry food for dogs. If you can help please donate via our YouCaring or Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you!!

PLEASE ALSO CONTACT YOUR COUNTRY’S ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS AND VETERINARY ORGANISATIONS AND ASK THEM TO ASSIST!

News articles:

The government of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FBiH) declared a state of natural disaster
Bosnia and Serbia emergency after ‘worst ever’ floods
Land mines shifted by Bosnia Flooding
Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina Slammed By Worst Flooding In Over A Century
House collapses into river

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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WORST FLOODING IN 120 years! Strays and pets are in dire need!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

TO HELP: Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org mark for EMERGENCY FUNDS

As you know from our post from yesterday, (EMERGENCY IN SARAJEVO – the strays need your help!) flooding conditions in parts of Bosnia Herzegovina have reached an
emergency state. Things have not improved and have in fact gotten worse. Bodies of dogs and cats are being found, and dogs have been found left chained up outside homes that have been evacuated… remember there are well over 10,000 strays in the city of Sarajevo alone…

Donations have been coming in and we have been sharing these amongst as many areas and rescuers as possible, THANK YOU!

But still rescuers all over the country need our support in their rescue efforts – very few have cars, and fewer still have cars that can handle these kind of weather conditions but they are doing their best, working around the clock to search all areas that are worst hit.
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This is a state of emergency for the people of the country, but in these cases, especially in a culture that does not value the life of animals, the strays and even owned animals are the ones who will suffer the most.

There are good people helping… watch this amazing dog rescue from flood debris – in Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina:

and this soldier saved these puppies…

Rescuers are out trying to feed and save as many animals as possible…

Donations for petrol, car hire, veterinary care, food, everything. No amount is too small, with 10 euros it is possible can buy 10 kilos of dry food for dogs. If you can help please donate via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you!!

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NEWS:
Chicago Tribune – Five dead as worst floods in 120 years hit Serbia, Bosnia
REUTERS –Bosnia, Serbia hit by worst flooding in 120 years; three die
Focus – Bosnia and Herzegovina: An emergency state in several cities due to the floods, highways and regional roads have been closed

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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EMERGENCY IN SARAJEVO – the strays need your help!

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Heavy rainfall in Sarajevo and other areas of Bosnia Herzegovina has created an emergency situation. The rain is pushing rivers to critical levels. The center of Sarajevo is almost closed and water is so high most of the bridges are closed. The situation is desperate, lots of dogs are missing and water is everywhere…

Strays and also rescues in pensions and shelters in low lying areas are in great danger. Gladno Polje shelter is in one of the worst hit areas, and Betty Pension where over a dozen rescue dogs and cats are being kennelled is currently entirely cut off, and has no electricity…

According to forecasts Central and Eastern Bosnia could get a month’s worth of rain or even more to fall in the next three days, so we can assume that the situation will only get worse.

The main problem is if flooding in some areas gets very bad then the Civil Protection Service will order mandatory evacuation of people and if possible cattle and pets and in the case of dire emergencies cattle and pets would be left behind. Of course the strays will have no help other than from animal welfare activists.

Animal activists are working 24/7 to do what they can – where they can they are driving to check areas to look after and help the animals. They will try to go to Gladno Polje tomorrow and will also check any evacuated houses for pets left behind. Also our rescuers will check on Jela, the 89 year old lady who looks after many rescued cats….But there are very limited resources!

Help is needed! Donations for petrol, veterinary care, food, everything. No amount is too small, with 10 euros it is possible can buy 10 kilos of dry food for dogs. If you can help please donate via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you!!

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News items

Floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Swollen rivers and streams, the villagers of Ilidža panicking
Video from radiosarajevo.ba
Rain-filled river threatens Bosnian capital

_____________________________________________

DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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IN MEMORY OF VUČKO

raising awareness and funds to stop animal suffering in Sarajevo and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Monthly Archives: May 2014

Animal Activist Interviewed about Flood Disaster in Bosnia

BOSNIA FLOODING: ANIMAL RESCUERS AT WORK

CRISES IN BOSNIA CONTINUES…. dogs and cats abandoned and stranded!

Day of Mourning in Bosnia Herzegovina.. how many animals have died?

Floods, nana and her cake

Activists from Sarajevo visit Doboj dog shelter

THE CRISIS CONTINUES: all help still needed for the dogs and cats of Bosnia!

DAY THREE: STATE OF EMERGENCY – all help needed!

WORST FLOODING IN 120 years! Strays and pets are in dire need!

There are good people helping… watch this amazing dog rescue from flood debris – in Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina:

EMERGENCY IN SARAJEVO – the strays need your help!

Floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Swollen rivers and streams, the villagers of Ilidža panicking
Video from radiosarajevo.ba
Rain-filled river threatens Bosnian capital