Rescue of dogs from massacre at landfill site, Bosnia

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Sandra Jensen

Many of you read the recent post about the terrible massacre of dogs at the landfill site in Cazin in north west Bosnia Herzegovina. On the 28th rescuers from Sarajevo drove the 300 km to try to rescue the survivors. 17 dogs were rescued, fourteen of these were puppies whose mothers had been killed. The puppies were found wandering around the corpses, desperate for food… one puppy was badly injured, and one of the adults, both from shot wounds.

Edina, one of the rescuers, wrote: “Yesterday was a day I will never forget…💔 We got home late yesterday so I didn`t have neither time or strength to write about what happened at the horrible depot in Cazin… First of all, just thinking about where we were going to go and what we were going to see made us feel bad…😞 When we got there we met up with some friends from that place… The entrance to the depot was horrific… There were 10-15 white Roma people there… To be honest I don`t know what to call them... Don`t mean to offend anyone… But when I saw that they threw rocks and garbage from the depot at each other and the way they behaved really scared me…

Then the poor dogs started to run towards us… That made me feel even worse… I didn`t know that there were many dogs left alive there… Our goal was to gather and bring with us all the remaining dogs… According to the information we got, there were supposed to be about 10 puppies and a couple of grown dogs there… But when they started to run towards us, I was shocked… I feared that the people there would attack us and that they would hurt the dogs… I asked them nicely if they could help us rescue the remaining dogs… They laughed and said that they were easy to sell… I got angry and asked them that if they were so easy to sell, why didn`t they sell them? Why were they left here for hunters to kill them? 😡

I was both angry and sad… I told them that I was ready to pay them to help us.. The dogs screamed when they were trying to catch them and they laughed… 😢 It was horrible, but we couldn`t say anything… That was until they lifted one dog by the ears and neck… And then they threw her to the ground… After that chaos broke out… We didn`t have a chance to catch that dog and my heart cries for her… They started to shout all kinds of things towards us and we had to leave… We rescued as many dogs that we could fit into the car…

I`ll never forget this horrible experience… Feel so sorry for the dogs that were left behind… I hope someone can save them… “

One of the bigger dogs rescued had survived a bullet… She was rushed to the vet.

Edina wrote:

“Unfortunately I don`t have any good news to give you about little Hanny who was rescued from the Cazin depot… 😞 While the dogs were running away from the hunters, who were shooting at them, she got shot… She`s badly injured from a shotgun and there are pieces of the shot still left in her body… 😞😢 She`s in a lot of pain and keeps her leg up at the elbow… She cries out if anyone tries to touch her leg… The reason is that this is an old wound and she`s got sepsis…. 😞 Puss is pouring out in big amounts… The little hero has stayed at the clinic and she will stay there for now…

She`s receiving antibiotics, but the vets aren`t able to save her leg… It will have to be urgently amputated… I`m really sad for her, but the most important thing now is to save her life because she`s still in danger… In addition to all of this she has a bad diarrhea… Everything that has happened these last days has really taken my away so much strength from me… It hurts to think about what these poor dogs have been through… While they were killing their friends, sisters and brothers… Hanny and the other survivors tried to run away, but she was still shot… 💔 These hunters are true monsters… Hanny is only a year old and has 8 kilos… 😢 “

And this is little Tyson, shot in the hind leg. He is still in the vet clinic. It is a shocking truth that hunters take pleasure in hurting these defenceless dogs who do no harm to anyone, living as they do on the landfill site. And a shocking truth that this goes on all over Bosnia.

Thanks to generous donations many of the puppies have sponsors, and the Harmony Fund has donated towards vet costs. Four puppies have been diagnosed with canine parvovirus which is a devastating illness, but hopefully it has been caught soon enough and not spread to the others. Funds will be needed still, as time goes on and details on how to help are below.

Here is a video of some of the rescued puppies on the way to safety…

And another video when they reached safety…

If you wish to help with ongoing costs of the rescued animals please send donations via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org but be sure to mark your donation as ‘Cazin dogs’.
Any saved dogs will stay in Sarajevo until homes are found for them in the UK or Europe. These homes will be thoroughly checked.

Over 250 dogs and cats have been homed with the help of AWABosnia and Help for Furries. If you think you can help with offering a home please send an email to info@awabosnia.org. Also please do share this post far and wide, thank you!

Please view the slideshow of photographs:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________
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.

______________________________________________

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.

Slaughter of stray dogs at landfill site, Bosnia

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Sandra Jensen

A group of dogs lived in a landfill site in Cazin in north west Bosnia Herzegovina, about 300 km from Sarajevo. Local hunters entered the area yesterday and slaughtered most of the dogs: pregnant dogs, mothers, puppies, all shot and left in piles of trash. The few survivors who are mainly puppies are now sleeping next to their dead mothers and siblings.

This is not the first time this has happened in this particular landfill site – we made a post about a similar slaughter one year ago, almost to the date. As noted there: “In Bosnia and Herzegovina torture and killing animals is a common occurrence. In adults the offence is punishable by fine or imprisonment, however the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of such crimes very rarely occur, but the activists will not cease from attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

There are approximately 10 puppies and one or two adults still in the area and Miska Oksanen with the assistance of Edina Pasic of Andjeo Sarajevo is trying to save as many of the survivors as possible before the hunters decide to come back to finish their work.

The person who shared the information told us that the hunters went to a pub to have a good time after slaughtering these poor strays who bothered no one.

Miska and Edina are working hard to raise funds for the rescue mission. If you wish to help help please send donations via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org but be sure to mark your donation as ‘Cazin dogs’.

Any saved dogs will be brought to Sarajevo where they will stay until long term homes are found for them in the UK or Europe.

Please view the slideshow of photographs:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________
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.

______________________________________________

Dog chained her whole life, living in horrific conditions – FREED!

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

A few days ago Mia Ožegović made a post on Facebook about a dog her friend had discovered living in the yard of a house in the city centre of Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. The dog was chained by a 1 metre rusted chain and living in horrific squalor. It was clear the chain never came off… and most likely the poor dog lived on the end of it 24 hours a day, day in, day out for all of her young life. She’s a purebred Belgian Shepherd (malinois) female, probably about 2 years old.

Mia wrote: “Around her “doggie house” you can see mud, stale bread ….and more mud and faeces and junk of all kind …. ”

As this is Bosnia, Mia and her rescuer friends knew that calling the authorities would have no effect. They tried for two nights to release the dog, but their pliers were poor and couldn’t cut any part of the chain which was wrapped around a wooden post (used to conduct electricity to households in that area), so tight and thick that they could not dismantle it nor cut it, and the chain itself was wrapped tightly around the dog’s neck twice and had a padlock which held it in place.
They considered offering to buy the dog from her “owners” (a Roma family) but from other experiences with similar situations, they knew this would cost an enormous amount of money, money that would be needed to keep the dog in safety and give her proper veterinary care and good food and help her find a new family that would actually take care of her and give her the love she deserves….
Last night Mia and her friends bought second-hand bolt cutters and went again after midnight, and this time they succeeded ! The cutters snapped through the chain. The dog is free!

Mia named this beautiful dog Sheba. Sheba is now in a pension (kennels) where she will get premium food, indoor stay, regular walks and a clean warm bed at night.

Mia says, “She is hyperactive, funny, great, loving and so far we haven’t noticed any major issues with her. She smells a LOT and has fleas.” She’ll be given a bath and a proper vet check.

****Funds are needed to pay the pension (105 EU/ 120 USD per month) and also for veterinary checks and vaccinations. If you can help, please donate via Paypal to: ozegovichmia@gmail.com and mark for ‘SHEBA’*****

All that is needed is for someone to fall in love with Sheba and offer to adopt her! If you are interested, please email Mia at: ozegovichmia@gmail.com

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________

DONATIONS
Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues and to help us keep safe the rescued dogs we are sponsoring but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia, 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 as a ‘gift’. 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.

______________________________________________

Dog Killing in Travnik: lone rescuer struggles against all odds

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Recently we highlighted a small sterilisation programe for the strays Anela Elkazevic takes care of in Travnik, Bosnia Herzegovina. Anela is out on the streets right now, trying to find the puppies of Rose who was killed in the last 24 hours.

Andrea Kalman and I met Anela when we travelled to Bosnia in September. We spent the whole day with her in Travnik. The situation there is particularly dire because Anela is on her own in a town of people that for the most part hate dogs. Anela has young children, including a new born baby. Yet she protects, feeds and tries to find homes for her pack of strays – over 40 of them. When Andrea and I arrived she took us to see them…. immediately we came across a group of children who were throwing rocks at the strays. This is ‘normal’ behaviour for her to deal with, and far far worse things have happened. AWABosnia has been discussing ideas for a project that could involve children in Bosnia Herzegovina, encouraging them to protect rather than abuse dogs. So many studies show a link between abuse of animals and violence against people. “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,” says Robert K. Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the FBI.

But in the meantime, Anela struggles to do what she can with very limited resources. It is remarkable she keeps her sanity. Another of the dogs in her pack, Beba, was raped. Others have been shot by hunters.

As we were taken around the area to meet her pack It was abundantly clear that the dogs adore Anela. They follow her everywhere, tails wagging, eyes bright. She does whatever she can to keep the pack happy and healthy…. and alive.

Today, she found the body of Rose, one of the dogs in her care who she had found in September with her tiny puppies.

Anela sent this message to us yesterday:

“Problems again… last night I had fight with some man, he was trying to kill dog, one by one, with a knife. I start to chase him with my car, I chased him about 20 minutes, but he run away. and my car get broken ..auch..I don’t know the word and don’t have a time for dictionary… it is that part when you going to the holes and bad road, it makes you not to feel , and protect car ( amortizeri in Bosnian ). So, I can’t move my car and I have missing dog.. it’s little Rose. I didn’t see her since last night, first I thought she is not hungry, when she didn’t appear, puppies were not crying, so I just left. Then, this morning, she didn’t come again, I called her, nothing. I checked security camera – she wasn’t there last night, not at all. I searched for her all day, but I didn’t find her , and not her babies too. I have to find puppies, she could be killed. ….I have more new dogs, more females. I don’t know what to do. It is magic circle..today kids bring to me little female of golden retriever. She is about 5 months old I think and males start to jump on her..also, another female is dumped on the road – yesterday she was waiting all day for her owner I watched it from my window, then I picked her up and she is with young males now, but she looks so sad. I don’t know, I can’t understand people who are doing this.”

And then she found Rose’s body.

She wrote, just an hour ago….

I find her…dead…I don’t know if I can….If I am allowed to be sad, there are many souls who needs me with smile on my face, and they know if you put a mask on your face, I just can’t hide my suffering from them. Rose wasn’t just another dog who came into my pack, she managed to come into my heart, with her loyality, with her trying to be “my dog”, running after my car from that house beside vet station – to my mother’s or my place. She is one of those dogs I could never leave to go, if I had a house. I’m still looking for her pups.

Here is Rose with her puppies when Anela first found her:
Another one of ‘her’ dogs in the pack of strays is Beba. Some time ago Beba was hit by a car and all her legs were broken. Anela dropped everything to take care of her, and although the vet insisted Beba should be put to sleep, Anela spent more than three months nursing her back to health. And then a local man kidnapped Beba and raped her. Anela did what she could for the bleeding and physical trauma, and Beba healed well, but how long before someone tries to hurt her again? There is no where safe in Travnik for Anela to keep these dogs. Unless someone offers to sponsor her pension in Sarajevo… or offers her a forever home… all Anela can do is keep vigil.

Andrea Kalman with Diablo

Another dog, Diablo, is a gorgeous black dog. This dog was an owned dog, dumped on the streets near Anela. The locals think he is dangerous and hate him, probably because he is black. Andrea’s two eight year old twins were cuddling this lovely dog… and still the locals stood by telling us that the dog was dangerous. There is a YouCaring specifically for Diablo as he needs veterinary treatment for a chronic sinus infection that is probably the result of a brick being thrown at him. And, of course, he needs a forever home. A more lovely dog you could not find.

Another dog, Bobby, Marianne’s Dog Food Bank and AWABosnia raised funds to be taken off the streets to King Pension in Sarajevo has he desperately needed radical surgery on his genitals. He is now doing really well.

But…Anela has no consistent help from any group or individual. She rarely makes calls for help on her Facebook wall, she’s far, far too busy taking care of her baby, her other children, and trying to keep safe her pack of strays. She is usually out at night patrolling the streets. She has no one to help her at, no fellow rescuers to stand by her side.

If you can help by sharing this blog, or by sending donations to help her feed, give veterinary care for and sterilise all the dogs in her care that would be wonderful. Her Paypal is ferid.d@global.net.ba. Or money can be sent to AWABosnia to donations@awabosnia.org – Please mark for ‘Anela’. And please view the slideshow below – if you see a dog you fall in love with and can offer a forever home, please contact info@awabosnia.org.

Note that In Bosnia and Herzegovina torture and killing animals is a a common occurrence. In adults the offence is punishable by fine or imprisonment. The arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of such crimes very rarely occur.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________
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.

______________________________________________

Stray Dogs Thrown Into River Immediately After Sterilization

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Last night animal welfare rescuers and activists were alerted to a horrific situation: four dogs had been thrown into a ravine, the river Zeljeznica. Rescuers rushed to the site, mobilizing all available resources and notifying the police. The terrain was extremely inaccessible, so they called Mountain Rescue Team Sarajevo for help. The Team came with equipment and two trained dog handlers. The rescue mission was successful.
Marianne`s Dog Food Bank offered a safe place for all 4 dogs for the night in one of their shelters, and will be able to keep two of the dogs in the shelter, and another rescuer made sure the other two dogs will be safe.

All four dogs are doing well and were seen by the vet today. The sterilisations incisions look good and there are no signs of illness although they spent time in water.

This was just one rescue mission amongst many. Rescuers in Sarajevo are facing similar experiences every day, doing their best to react, document and prevent illegal actions ordered by authorities all over the town and suburb areas.

If you wish to help these rescues please go to Marianne’s Dog Food Bank website or Facebook group.

Thanks must be made to Mountain Rescue Team Sarajevo and a number of rescuers involved including Marko Jerilovic, Nina Gurda, Caki Bravo, Arijana Ari Arifovic and Amira.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Published on BiH news portal Taco.net 26.09.2014: NAPUŠTENI PSI NEPOSREDNO NAKON STERILIZACIJE BAČENI U RIJEKU

Another aspect of astonishing cruelty to animals occurred at the site of Kijevo, municipality Trnovo, last night late in the evening. Immediately after sterilization / castration four dogs were dumped in river Zeljeznica canyon. Animal rights activists and citizens called the police, as well as the Mountain Rescue Service Sarajevo, whose members pulled out four dogs from extremely inaccessible terrain, river Zeljeznica canyon.

After the rescue action, it was established that the 4 rescued dogs, prior to barbaric act of throwing them into a river were sterlized/castrated and that all 4 of them have white ear tags. Also, one of the rescued dogs is a puppy about four months old, who also has an incision from surgery. Dogs younger than six months can not and must not be sterilized / castrated.

Four rescued dogs were placed in a secure location where they are given the necessary aid, since they were in bad condition.

This case is not just an example of the barbaric attitude towards the abandoned dogs in BiH, but also represents the basest form of violation of the Animal Protection and Welfare Law, Bosnian Veterinary Law and the Criminal Law of Federation BiH and the Criminal Law of Republic of Serpska. Consequently, it will be demanded from the prosecuting authority to identify, prosecute and sanction persons who threw the dogs in the canyon of the river Zeljeznica, as well as the identity of the veterinarian who performed the surgery on the puppy. This implies that mentioned persons, as well as possible abettors, are the ones who ordered and the offenders committed crimes of torture and killing of animals.

All thanks to Mountain Rescue team Sarajevo for the heroic and selfless rescue of four dogs that without their dedication and professionalism could not have been saved.

Also, thanks to citizens and animal rights activists who have located tortured dogs and enabled their placement into safety.

_____________________________________________

DONATIONS

Funds are needed to help individual rescues, for spay-neuter projects, for education also to continue advocacy work in Bosnia, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

Donations are managed by AWABosnia, an independent group of animal advocates. On their website, 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 as a ‘gift’. 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 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.

______________________________________________

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. Even just one dollar or one euro will help make a difference.

Little Flake, run over and left to die

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Two weeks ago Andjeo Sarajevo, animal welfare charity in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, found this little dog lying in the middle of a busy intersection, lying immobile with blood everywhere. They immediately stopped the car and rescued her, a 3-4 month old puppy with a very serious open fracture of her front leg and her other leg with skin all peeled back, her ear all torn up.

They took the puppy to the vet and she got the urgent help she needed. Unfortunately her ear had to be amputated. X-rays were taken of her legs. She was operated on and the operation was successful, and funds raised to cover the cost.

She is now at a pension (boarding kennel) and was named Little Flake.

Andjeo Sarajevo say: “It will take a lot of time before she heals completely, but dear friends, you would not believe how kind and brave she is. She is still in pain and whines, but as soon as someone approaches her, she wags her tail and kisses the persons hands… She has all the medicines and analgesics she needs. She has a big advantage because she is a young puppy and even her bones will heal. Thanks to everyone who has helped her. I hope that we will not forget about her and that she will conquer someones heart.”

Funds are needed to keep her safe off the street and for medical care. The pension costs 120 euros a month (about 165 USD). If you can help, please scroll to the end of the page for donation instructions.

We also have a Virtual Adoption programme, where you can help keep Little Flake safe off the streets until she finds a permanent home by donating a specific amount each month.

There are several rescues needing this kind of sponsorship. When you become Virtual Adoptor for a rescue from Bosnia Herzegovina, you will not only help keep the animal safe and off the streets, but will create a special bond. We understand that not everyone can adopt; which is why becoming a Virtual Adopter for one of the rescues whose pictures and story touched you is a wonderful alternative to adoption. The bond formed through this virtual adoption program will keep you connected to the progress of your chosen rescue, and hopefully, you will see them find their wonderful forever home.

Most dogs need 120 euros per month to stay safe off the streets, so we were thinking to set 6 VAs per dog at 20 Euros (about 30 USD) each per month. But we understand that not everyone can reach the set fee. Another option would be for you to offer per month the amount you can afford ad we will continue to look for VAs for that dog until the “goal” is reached.

How to become a Virtual Adopter:

For details of what dogs and cats are available for Virtual Adoption please go to ‘Notes’ in our AWAB Facebook public page and read the Virtual Adoption Note or go to Files in our AWAB Facebook group and read the Virtual Adoption document (you need to be a member of this group to view the page).

For more details you can also contact Encarni Erzsebet who is the AWAB administrator managing this programme and if you do decide to be a Virtual Adopter you must contact her directly.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________
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.

______________________________________________

Saving Lola

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

On Wednesday, Andjeo Sarajevo, animal welfare charity in Sarajevo, were notified about a stray in a terrible condition.

Although they are already in great debt with the strays they have rescued and who are in pension waiting for forever homes, they could not ignore the plea for help.
Here is what they wrote:

“When we went to see what sort of state she was in, we were horrified by what we saw, our eyes filled with tears at the sight of how much she was suffering. She was lying on some sand in an old ruin, it was raining… an awful sight. We picked her up and put her in the car to take her to the vets, in the beginning we didn’t know what was wrong with her, we thought she might have a venereal tumour but during her examination we discovered she has an open tumour on her breast which was bleeding.

She is old and had a temperature of 40. She was given antibiotics, analgesics and on Friday she has a scheduled operation at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, we hope it will be successful. She needs all our help. We are guessing she used to be someone’s dog because of her disposition and docility with humans, but she probably ended up on the street because of her illness. Her sweet stare killed us.”

Lola had her operation today. The operation was successful!

So far Andjeo Sarajevo have managed to raise 77 Euros for Lola. The vet fee for the operation was only 80 Euros as the vets felt so sad for the poor dog. Lola now needs funds for her stay in kennels (120 euros per month) and for antibiotics, pain medication and for special recovery food. We are also hoping to buy her a soft bed.

Approximately 180 euros is needed right now (about 250 USD). If you can help please scroll down to the instructions below but make sure to mark your donation for LOLA.

If you can be a Virtual Adopter and help sponsor Lola with a monthly donation until she finds a forever home, please contact Encarni Erzsébet.

Where Andjeo Sarajevo found Lola, they saw another dog, very similar to her in looks….

Perhaps the dog is one of her own puppies, or a sibling. Andjeo Sarajevo had no choice but leave him on the street and they’ve heard that he cries and he tries to find her. There are no funds to put another dog into pension (it costs 120 EU/165 USD per month), but if you feel you can help and be a sponsor please let us know. Donation instructions are below.

NEWS p.m. 2 May: we’ve managed to raise funds to buy her a new bed 🙂

ADDITIONAL NOTE, 3 MAY:
The dog left behind… quite a few kind people have sent donations to help Lola with the terrible breast tumour (she’s the one in the forefront of the picture) but also have asked if the money can go to help rescue the dog that was left behind who seems to be her companion and who we have been told is crying for her.

20 euros per month is needed to keep a dog in pension – even if they share the same pen. The main issue with rescuing this other dog is that it is very, very unlikely that we will be able to home these two dogs together. So if we took the other dog off the streets, he would end up without her in the long run, most likely.

But, we can try to save him as well — and find him a home with other dogs, IF we can find a sponsor or sponsors to cover his pension fee until he is homed. As you know we now have a Virtual Adoption programe, which means 20 euros per person, 6 people, donating every month. If you think you can help or participate as a VA, please let us know – contact Encarni Erzsébet– and if we can find 6 people to commit, we can ask Andjeo Sarajevo if they can find and rescue the dog.

May 4 Update:
Amazingly we have 5 people pledging to be Lola’s friend’s Virtual Adopter – we just need one more at 20 euros per month to get him off the streets! Please contact Encarni Erzsébet if you can be that special person! Lola will need Virtual Adopters too, she’s got enough for one month in pension but after that, nothing.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________
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.

______________________________________________

BE THEIR HERO: a better life for nineteen dogs & cats

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

In early April nineteen dogs and cats have a chance to leave the horrors of Bosnia Herzegovina, to live in safety where they will know love, care, warmth and a full belly. But they cannot go without your help. Can you be a hero to one of these lovelies, and help fund their way?

We have booked two transports. One transport will travel from Sarajevo to the United Kingdom. 8 dogs and 3 cats, all rescues, have fosters or forever homes waiting for them in the UK, and one in Spain, our lovely Fiona…

The other transport will take two dogs, Lana and Fluffy, and two cats, Sidney and Glee, all the way to Finland with Miska Oksanen. You will remember Glee’s story…the cat who survived deliberate blinding…

The transport cost per dog or cat is approximately 400 euros. The preparation costs (all vaccinations, sterilisation, paperwork) are approximately 100-130 euros per dog or cat. If we manage to transport nineteen animals, the cost is over ten thousand euros.

Due to the generous support of Blind Dog Rescue UK, The Harmony Fund, the adopters of several of the animals and other individual donations, all we need is 3,500 Euros to cover transportation and preparation costs.

But we need it very soon. If you can help, have a special YouCaring fundraiser for this huge project, or you can donate directly via PayPal to donations@awabosnia.org (mark BE A HERO).

Many of these dogs and cats have come through horrific suffering. Dennis nearly died of a botched castration in one of Bosnia Herzegovina’s infamous ‘shelters’ at Doboj.
Faith was tortured with wire around her neck and leg, left to die from starvation or the infection from her terrible wounds. Faith’s life was saved, but she had to have her leg amputated.

And Hero, our special mascot for this fundraiser, also lost a leg. He was found on the streets, half-blind, with a suppurating, infected fracture that meant he had to have an amputation.

All of these animals have a story to tell, and we want the ending of the story to be ‘…and they lived happily ever after.’

Please help, any amount, no matter how small is much appreciated, and join our Facebook Event to keep up to date with our progress on this fundraiser!

There will be room on the transport for four more dogs or cats and we are going to do our best to find four perfect homes for some of the many rescues in desperate need. If you think you can help, please contact us at info@awabosnia.org and visit our adoption page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdoptionAnimalsBosnia.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

Abandoned Puppies Need Your Help!

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

A few days ago, an animal advocate in Sarajevo found four puppies in a burnt out, ruined building.

The puppies were struggling to survive alone, as they had no mother. We don’t know what happened to her.

The puppies’ stomachs looked swollen with parasites and they were overall in a bad condition, with matted fur and runny eyes. They were fed, given bedding and the word was put out for help, to see if someone could take the puppies away from this awful place, to safety.

Here is a video showing how starving they were, gobbling up the food brought to them:

Yesterday, Andjeo Sarajevo, animal welfare charity, went to rescue them from certain death or at best, a terrifying life on the streets. They drove to the area, Slatina, and found the building. With help from friends they managed to catch all four, wrapping them up in blankets.

Andjeo Sarajevo took them immediately to a vet for examination and then to pension (kennels).

This is what Andjeo Sarajevo wrote on their Facebook post yesterday:

“From today there will be no more hunger or freezing in that awful draughty ruin where someone left them. They are finally in a safe place where they will have regular meals and where they will be warm. We took them for a check up straight away as they were full of worms, they had stomachs like beach balls. They’ve been dewormed and given vitamins. A big thank you to to everyone who helped us catch the babies and get them somewhere safe. They have no mum, they were left to fend for themselves and die in that ruin… “

We have named these lovelies Duke, Prince, King and Count. Thanks to quick response, some money was donated to help with the initial costs, but we still need funds to make sure they stay safe and off the streets and are monitored by the vet. Just a few days ago, Andjeo Sarajevo rescued another group of five puppies, but they quickly showed signs of distemper and all died just in the last two days. Please help us make sure these four new puppies stay healthy and if you think you can offer one of them a home, please contact us at info@awabosnia.org

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

_____________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

Saved from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2013!

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Sandra Jensen

Amongst all the horror happening in Bosnia Herzegovina, we need to remember the good. This year our group, AWAB (Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia Herzegovina), with assistance from other animal welfare organisations and independent animal activists have helped nearly 30 dogs find forever homes outside of BiH. This is a post about some of their stories….

Loppy and Billy were homed early this year, two dogs living on the streets, and fallen in love with when their photographs were seen here on this blog and on Facebook. Now in their forever homes in the UK.
Loppy was a sad street dog, found by rescuer Ismir Musić. You can read some of his story here. He’s now a much loved member of the Prestwich family in Essex…
Billy first appeared on this blog in November last year, here. He was one of many strays being fed by activists Jelena Paunovic and others. This dog was so desperate to get back in their car….but had to be left behind as there was no money to put him in pension…

But we were soon contacted by Julie, who had read his story and wanted to adopt him! Activists managed to find him again, and took him off the streets into pension for him to be prepared for travel to the UK. Here he is now, looking so handsome!

And then there is the incredible story of Ado, a puppy run over and left to die and now living happily ever after in Slovenia. Ado… when first found:
And many months later, with his new mom!

By June 2013, we had found homes for 14 rescues and arranged transport for them with the wonderful Chris Marshall of Alstrays. You can see some of them here in our Success Stories. Perhaps the most poignant is the story of Grace, rescued from horror shelter Hreša, near Sarajevo. She first appeared in this blog here. She was completely traumatised and emaciated. She became ‘the face’ of AWAB, with this moving photograph of her being held by Mia Ožegović, one of the rescuers in Sarajevo:
Grace was put into pension and then Mette in Norway fell in love with her… and she’s now a very happy, healthy and much loved dog living in Norway.

Another very touching adoption was Marley, rescued by Arijana Ari and Jelena Paunović – here is the first post about him, and then more here.. and he was one of the few survivors of the canine parvovirus crisis. Another very timid dog, who we feared would never become socialised. But we found him an excellent foster home in East Sussex, where he was so loved they couldn’t part with him so now he is permanently homed with the family, very happy and becoming less timid by the day!

The adoption of all these dogs was a huge undertaking, successful only because of the help and assistance of many people including Vlatka Toukalek and her group, Deed for Dogs, and, of course, the rescuers in Sarajevo.

This winter we assisted with the homing of 12 more dogs and one cat… three dogs were are homed in the USA (one in Los Angeles!), four dogs in the UK, one dog in Germany and four dogs and Boxer the cat in Finland. Four dogs were actually picked up by Miska Oksanen and her step-father and driven to Finland (nearly 3000 kilometres each way!)…Most of these animals were rescued by the Sarajevo animal rescue charity Andjeo Sarajevo with help from independent rescuers.

The organisation and preparation of all these adoptions takes a monumental effort by numerous people: volunteers outside of BiH for AWAB, assistance from other rescue groups to home check and help with travel arrangements; rescuers and drivers from BiH, and donations from all over the world. It’s not possible to express our thanks enough for all this support, but if you look at the photographs of the dogs and cats in their new homes I hope you can see what a huge difference you have made.

Three of the dogs homed this winter, Bella, Noa and Felix, are disabled….All were rescued by Andjeo Sarajevo. Bella was found wandering the streets of Sarajevo, she had a missing paw. Here she is, on the streets…

And here she is making friends at the stopover in Munich before her flight to the USA. Even though she could not had an easy time as a stray, she was always a friendly, happy dog.

And here she is in her new forever home in Los Angeles…

Noa was found with a horrific injury to her hind leg, and had to have it amputated. She remained very timid and scared, and didn’t like being in kennels. You can in the photographs below his serious wound, and how timid and scared this poor dog was…

And then… a lovely couple who live in Buffalo, New York, fell in love with Noa. She is settling in very well.

Noa, being nervously admired in the airport:

Resting in her new home after the very long flight.And with her new dad and a friend!
And the latest photograph, look how much more confident and happy she looks!
Felix is another miracle story. He was found in a field, unable to walk properly, his hind quarters were not functioning properly and he was in terrible pain. He had to be sent to Croatia for extended surgery to save both hind legs. It is likely he was in a car accident, or deliberately wounded.

He spent a long time in the veterinary surgery and although the operation was deemed successful, he seemed to be getting aggressive and thin. But with the support from animal activists we placed him in a very good foster home where he was soon much happier. A forever home was found for him in Germany where he is doing so extraordinarily well it’s hard to believe it’s the same dog!

Looking so handsome!

And Felix has all kinds of new friends….
Four of the dogs we homed this winter were rescued from Foča, one of the ‘horror’ shelters of BiH, a place that when first visited seemed comparatively alright. But a second visit proved everyone wrong: the place was a front, set up to prevent inspection while strays were killed elsewhere.

Ariel, Sookie, George and Alexia in Foča ‘shelter’…

Ariel in Finland! She’s called Ariel because her new mom says she looks like a little mermaid…

The very beautiful Sookie, loved to bits in New Jersey…(also in the picture at the top of this blog)
And George…wishing everyone a happy Christmas!

Alexia much loved in Wales:

Another of the dogs homed in Finland by Miska Oksanen, Bijelko, was found in Sarajevo wandering the streets with a broken lower jaw and an infected wound on his stomach, a bite wound from another dog. Asking around Andjeo Sarajevo found out that the poor dog was attacked by a group of people, who broke his jaw with a lead pipe and he was suffering in this condition for seven days, not being able to feed or defend himself.

But he healed well…a very beautiful dog…

Having a walk in the forests of Finland!

Mica was found in Gorazde ‘shelter’ with 15 other dogs in one small cage.
The other dogs did not allow her to eat (the dry bread they had to live on) and she was terrified. Activist Jelena Paunović rescued her and took her into foster care.

Mica is now is very happy and much loved in her new home in England…

And Asti. Asti was found in a severe stage of scabies disease. Almir Kuduz of King Pension in Sarajevo took her on and treated her. However, sadly, the girl who brought her in was unable to do more and could not cover the debt of Asti’s board.

But with Almir’s help she recovered, turning into a beauty with a personality to match.

Almir contacted AWAB to see if we could help and thanks to generous donations and to the quick offer of an extraordinary home in Scotland, her life has changed forever…
Here she is with her new mom…

In the beautiful wilds of Scotland…
And here with her new friends (including Endy, second from left, also one of AWAB rescues, she came over to the UK in June)…
And not to forget our feline lovelies…

Boxer had a very sad tale: he was one of the strays rescued and taken care of by a Jela, an elderly woman in Sarajevo who takes care of many abandoned and stray cats. Boxer was one of the fattest cat in the Jela house, but someone attacked him – probably with a stick or pole, and broke his teeth. He only had two teeth left and became very thin. With donations special food was bought and he began to put on weight, and then Miska found a wonderful home for him in Finland where he lives very happily. His favourite spot is in the sauna!

There are many dogs and cats in Bosnia-Herzegovina still needing forever homes. If you think you can offer a home, please contact us. Some of the dogs are here, and we have a new Facebook group where we are slowly compiling photographs and information about strays we are helping keep off the streets in pension and foster homes, dogs and cats desperately needing forever homes. Please visit the group, and see if there is a special someone for you to fall in love with…AWAB Dogs and Cats For Adoption

_____________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

IN MEMORY OF VUČKO

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

Category Archives: Dogs needing home

Rescue of dogs from massacre at landfill site, Bosnia

Slaughter of stray dogs at landfill site, Bosnia

Dog chained her whole life, living in horrific conditions – FREED!

Dog Killing in Travnik: lone rescuer struggles against all odds

Stray Dogs Thrown Into River Immediately After Sterilization

Little Flake, run over and left to die

Saving Lola

BE THEIR HERO: a better life for nineteen dogs & cats

Abandoned Puppies Need Your Help!

Saved from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2013!