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)
Related posts:
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!
EMERGENCY IN SARAJEVO – the strays need your help!
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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.
IN MEMORY OF VUČKO 