Whether to adopt or shop for your next pet should be an easy decision. Companion pet adoption is not only far more humane and ethical, it saves lives. dog in emergency shelter Deciding if you’re ready for a pet, or another one First and foremost, bringing a pet into your family is a serious decision. You must be willing and able to provide shelter, food, medical care and, above all, love. What you get in return is beyond measure. At minimum, ask yourself these questions: Who else is part of my household? It’s important to consider the presence of children, elderly family members and other pets you may have. You want any new addition to be a harmonious one. What is my lifestyle?
Think about your routines and activity level. Are you an active, outdoor type who wants a companion pet to enjoy your athletic pursuits, or are you looking for a buddy to share quiet times at home? Do I have time for a pet? Consider if your work schedule or other out-of-home activities means your new pet will be alone most of the day. While some pets might be comfortable with a lot of alone time, younger animals who need training, those with separation anxiety, pets with medical needs or animals who are simply not built to be alone most of the day will not be a good fit for you. Can I afford a pet? The costs of food, medical care, supplies and other necessities add up quickly. Average annual pet care costs for dogs for the first year range from $1,300-$1,800, and for cats about $1,000 – in addition to the pet’s adoption fee.
Is my home life stable? If you are about to move, switch jobs or have other major changes to your home life or actual residence, it’s probably not the best time to adopt. Companion animals, particularly those who may have had a hard life prior to adoption, need stability, structure and routine in order to feel secure and build their confidence. Unfortunately not all pets find the lifetime of love and care they deserve. Some end up in animal shelters, animal control facilities or with rescue groups, waiting for their forever families. They may have been surrendered, abandoned, abused or otherwise neglected – and many face the prospect of death or permanent homelessness if not adopted. In spite of these grim facts, bringing a pet into your home should never be a spontaneous decision or one taken lightly. Where do shelter animals come from? Some shelter animals were picked up as strays while others were victims of circumstance. Previous owners may have passed away, fallen ill, moved to a residence that did not allow pets, lost their home, changed jobs, got divorced or simply lost interest in their pet. Whatever the case, many pets are surrendered or abandoned – despite the fact that it is illegal in all 50 states to abandon an animal. shelter cat These orphaned animals are equally capable of giving and receiving love as any other pet, and every one of them has a story. Shelters often have brief descriptions about a pet’s history on their websites, while staff and volunteers may be able to add first-hand accounts of how the dog or cat interacts at their facility with both people and other animals. However, there can be gaps in your pet’s life history, and in some cases – such as animals who were abandoned, found as strays or transferred from other shelters where little was known about them – there may be no information about the animal’s prior life. Many shelters and rescues perform basic screening for behavior and temperament so that they can make the best possible matches in spite of having little or no background on the animal, but this is more art than science. Be prepared to not know everything about your new pet’s story. It’s important not to let gaps in a dog’s or cat’s biography deter you from adopting. Pets live in the moment, and going home with you signals a fresh start for a new and happy life. The next chapter of your pet’s life begins with adoption. Benefits of companion pet adoption When dogs or cats adopted, they have won the lottery: a good home, a warm bed, toys, food, medical care and love. They return that love unconditionally and without judgment, one of the main reasons people are drawn to companion pets in the first place.
Companion pet adoption has distinct advantages over other ways of acquiring a pet:
Help is available. Shelters have adoption counselors to help you through the adoption process and find the best fit for your family. If your household includes children, other pets or even an elderly family member, prepare for everyone to visit the shelter when you are evaluating specific pets for adoption.
What you see is what you get: Adult pets are typically house-trained, know basic manners, may even know tricks, and are often already socialized around people and other pets. Be careful about judging an animal’s temperament too quickly though. A shelter can be a high stress environment, so an initially quiet animal may prove to be more energetic once they are home. Refer to the staff and volunteers who have interacted with the animal for insight.
Variety is the spice of life: Animal welfare organizations offer a wide range of pets for adoption. On average 25% of dogs found in shelters are purebreds. You can find mixed breeds we well, and animals of all ages, size, temperament and medical condition.
Your pet has received basic health screening. Rescued animals receive basic veterinary care and, in some cases, extraordinary care if they have been sick, injured or abused. In many locales, pets cannot be adopted until they are up-to-date on required vaccinations, and sterilized so as not to contribute to pet overpopulation. While most animals are spayed or neutered before they are adopted, some shelters provide vouchers or other means for new pet parents to fix their pets. Your local animal welfare organization can help you find affordable spay and neuter programs, and may host microchip clinics if you wish to ensure your pet’s safety one step further.
You may save money. Pet adoption fees are typically much less expensive than the costs to purchase a dog or cat from a retail store, or acquire one from a breeder. The money you save is that much more to budget for your pet’s needs, such as food, medical care and – hopefully – plenty of treats and toys.
You save two lives. The first life you save is that of the pet you adopt, and each adoption creates space in the shelter for another animal to be rescued. In this way, every adoption spares two lives.
You may think you’re getting all of these benefits when you buy a pet through a retail store, but most of those animals come from puppy mills - mass breeding facilities with notoriously poor conditions for parent animals and their litters. Choosing adoption means less support for these unscrupulous breeders. Some people acquire their pets from legitimate breeders because they are devoted to a particular breed, unaware that many purebreds are available through breed-specific rescues and animal shelters alike. The pet adoption process When you are ready to have a pet, or found the dog or cat that’s just right for you, it’s natural to want to take that bundle of joy home immediately. While adoption processes vary, they can include adoption applications, reference checks, multiple visits with the animal, a holding period and even home visits. This can make simply buying a pet at the store seem appealing, but shelters have these practices in place for a reason: they want to make sure every dog or cat is going a good, responsible home – and you will want to do everything possible to ensure that you and your pet are a great match. If you want to save the life of a pet who truly needs to be saved, she is more than worthy of a little effort. woman hugging dog Pet adoption fees help shelters and rescues defray the costs of care while the animal was in their custody, including food, shelter and veterinary care, as well as expenses associated with facility operations, such as staff, insurance, rent, utilities and the like. Fees may help cover transport costs for dogs and cats transferred in from other shelters where they faced fewer prospects of adoption. In most cases, the adoption fee does not cover the full costs to the shelter; the difference is typically made up through donations, grants and other forms of revenue. Other ways to help shelter pets Rescuing an animal through adoption is an extremely rewarding experience. Even if you are not ready to adopt, you can still support homeless animals in your community:
Encourage friends and family to adopt.
Donate food, supplies, or money: Shelters advertise what they need on so-called “wish lists;” some of these are common items you may have at home, such as gently used towels, sheets and blankets.
Volunteer: Contact your local rescue group, shelter or animal control to see what positions they have available, such as dog walking, kennel maintenance, answering the phones or other important tasks. If you have a special skill or talent – such as photography – let them know.
Attend local events: Animal welfare groups often host fundraisers, adoption events, and mobile spay/neuter or microchip clinics. Find out how you can support their efforts in the community.
Foster a shelter pet. If for any number of reasons you’re unable to adopt a pet, consider temporarily fostering a dog or cat in your home. Cost of care (food, veterinary bills) are covered by the sponsoring shelter or rescue, and you’ll be helping an animal prepare for his future life as an adoptee. You might even consider fostering a pet for a service member during military deployment.
Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs. Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention. Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children. Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured. Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs. Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims. There are many things you can do to avoid dog bites, ranging from properly training and socializing your pet to educating your children on how - or if - they should approach a dog. Information and education are the best solutions for this public health crisis. Did you know that 50 percent of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday? Did you know that 800,000 bites a year are severe enough to require medical treatment, while 1 to 2 million go unreported? The vast majority of dog bites are from a dog known to the child—his or her own pet, a neighbor's or friend's. You can help prevent this from happening to your child. Please discuss with him or her the appropriate way to behave around dogs. The following activity will help you and your child understand the difference between safe and potentially dangerous interactions with dogs. The following is a list of pledges that you can recite with your child: 1. I will not stare into a dog's eyes. 2. I will not tease dogs behind fences. 3. I will not go near dogs chained up in yards. 4. I will not touch a dog I see loose (off-leash) outside. 5. If I see a loose dog, I will tell an adult immediately. 6. I will not run and scream if a loose dog comes near me. 7. I will stand very still (like a tree), and will be very quiet if a dog comes near me. 8. I will not touch or play with a dog while he or she is eating. 9. I will not touch a dog when he or she is sleeping. 10. I will only pet a dog if I have received permission from the dog's owner. 11. Then I will ask permission of the dog by letting him sniff my closed hand.
Print out this activity sheet for children:
Activity Sheet May I Pet the Dog? Help your child understand the difference between safe and potentially dangerous interactions with dogs. Download here:Activity Sheet
Keep your distance from dogs you don't know. Some dogs are so cute it's almost impossible to resist petting them. You should also think twice before you try to make friends with an unfamiliar dog, because some dogs simply aren't very friendly, and many otherwise pleasant dogs may be skittish around strangers. Never try to pet an unfamiliar dog that's behind a fence, tied up, or in a car. As you don't know this animal, it could be dangerous. Dogs can be very protective of their territory, and if you enter their space, they could see you as a threat. Avoid loose dogs. If you're walking and you see an unfenced, untied dog up ahead, try to avoid it. Cross the street or go around the block. Stay out of reach of dogs on leashes, as well. Ask the dog owner's permission before you pet a dog. If a dog doesn't handle strangers well, the owner usually knows.
Allow dogs to investigate you before you touch them. Try holding your hand in a "cup" to introduce yourself to smaller dogs, and hold your hand in a relaxing manner in front of a large dog, like a loose fist. Dogs are naturally curious and may want to sniff you or approach you slowly. This is usually not threatening behavior, but if you don't allow a dog to investigate you before you try to touch him, he may bite in self-defense. By the same token, never surprise a dog and touch him when he's not expecting it.
Be gentle. Don't play rough with a dog, or the dog may play rough back, which may result in you getting bitten. An excited dog is an unpredictable dog.
Let sleeping dogs lie. Don't rouse a dog that's sleeping, especially if it's not your dog. In addition, avoid disturbing dogs while they're feeding, chewing on a bone or chew toy, or caring for their puppies. DO NOT try to take food away from most dogs, unless you know they are properly socialized, and that they are fine with you taking things away from them. Ask the owner first.
Stay away from mad dogs. Dogs frequently will tell you if they don't want you around. If a dog growls, bears its teeth and wrinkles its nose in a snarl, or if the hair on a dog's back is raised, keep away.
Stand your ground. Also, try not to make eye contact- this is considered threatening in animal behavior. Don't run away from a dog, especially a clearly angry one. Turning your back on a dog and running may awaken the dog's instinct to chase prey, and you don't want to be prey. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog, keep your cool, and walk slowly away without turning your back. Stand still if the dog appears ready to attack you, and keep your hands close to your sides with your fingers curled in to prevent getting them bitten.
Avoid eye contact with a dog. Don't look a strange dog right in the eyes. The dog may see this as a challenge (as said before).
Teach children how to act around dogs, and don't leave children unattended with dogs. Children are small and vulnerable to bites, and they also tend to want to play with dogs even when dogs aren't feeling up to playing. This can lead to situations where a child is in fact harassing a dog, and the dog may become aggressive in order to get the child to stop. If you are leaving the room with a dog and a small child, take the dog with you. That way, if the child has a scratch or a bruise, you know it was not caused by the dog.
Do not HUG dogs. Dogs do not hug each other naturally. Dogs mount each other to mate, show dominance, or to try to get a reaction from another dog. Hugging a dog might get a reaction you do not want, a nip or a bite. Hugging a dog is rude. It is much kinder and more polite to simply stand there, or stroke the friendly dog in its back.
Be careful when moving an injured dog. A dog in pain may lash out even at a friendly person. If you do want to help move a dog that has been injured, either be prepared to receive a minor bite or put on heavy gloves and a heavy coat to protect yourself. If the owner is present, ask him or her to handle the dog's head while you help lift the body. Covering a dog's head with a coat or shirt might help to prevent the dog from seeing you and might block the bite.
Be careful when splitting up dogs that are fighting. If possible, try not to physically touch the dogs at all. Spraying with a hose might work. If the fight is not too serious, human breath spray (Listerine or Binaca)is disgusting to most dogs, but not harmful. If you have to touch them, grab them by the hind legs to pull them apart. Don't touch them near their collars, heads or shoulders. If both dogs seem to want to keep fighting, try to drag one through a doorway or gate, and use the door/gate to separate them, or tug on a leash. Take a look at the videos below:
It might be spring, but flu season is far from over, especially for man’s best friend. A sudden outbreak of the Canine Influenza Virus has reportedly been spreading throughout the Chicago area over in recent weeks. According to Kimberly Cerny, the practice manager at Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, veterinarians in the area have seen a “drastic increase in the number of severe upper respiratory cases coming into their practices and at Blum” within the past two weeks. Cerny says there have already been numerous confirmed cases of Canine Influenza, including two that were fatal. She attributes causes of the Canine Influenza outbreak to the higher amount of dogs boarding due to spring break and the number of dogs in doggie day care each day in the city. Last week, the Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois reported a large number of coughing dogs in Chicago, most with a history of frequenting daycare, boarding facilities and dog parks. The facility said a vaccine for the influenza is "on the market" but has not been widely used because of "the low risk of canine influenza." Canine Influenza Virus causes an upper respiratory disease in dogs with symptoms closely mimicking those of Kennel Cough. Dogs show signs of high fever, increased respiratory rate and pneumonia in severe cases. Vets recommend avoiding dog-to-dog contact when possible and vaccinating dogs at high risk. The virus can survive 48 hours on hard surfaces and 24 hours on clothing.
Winnie, a cat found in a duffel bag that had been thrown into the Winnebago River 12 days ago has found her forever home, according to the Humane Society of North Iowa. Winnie’s story made headlines when a Mason City couple witnessed a man throw a duffel bag in the river and fished it out of the chilly waters. They discovered a live cat inside the wet bag. She was brought out to the Mason City Stray Animal Shelter (co-located and managed by the Humane Society of North Iowa) and was given the name “Winnie.” A few days later, a Mason City man, William Hill, turned himself for the heinous act and has been charged with animal torture, a simple misdemeanor under Iowa’s law. Winnie’s story of survival made it all the way up to Ken Avery, a man who lives in St. Paul, MN. In January, Ken lost his longtime feline companion to cancer. He had been waiting for the right time to bring a new cat into his life. When he heard Winnie’s story, he knew the time was now. Ken came to meet Winnie last weekend and thought she was beautiful. “Winnie deserves a good home where she is safe and happy. I knew I could provide her that home,” Ken said. Ken returned to the Humane Society of North Iowa today to finalize Winnie’s adoption and take her home. “We are so happy that Winnie is going home with Ken. She survived her horrific ordeal and is now getting a second chance at a happy ending,” said Sybil Soukup, Executive Director of the Humane Society of North Iowa. The Humane Society of North Iowa is a non-profit organization that serves a 9 county area in North Iowa and operates a no-kill rescue animal shelter in Mason City. In the past 25 years, HSNI has found loving homes for over 9000 abandoned, displaced, and neglected animals. For more information, please call the Humane Society of North Iowa at: 641-423-6241 or visit them online at: www.hsni.org.
Colorado wildlife officials say they believe someone dumped four or five pet goldfish in a Boulder lake about two years ago, and they have now multiplied to over 3,000 to 4,000 fish. Because the goldfish are a non-native species, they threaten Teller Lake #5's entire aquatic ecosystem, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill told ABC News today. "Dumping your pets into a lake could bring diseases to native animals and plants as well as out-compete them for resources," Churchill said. "Everything can be affected. Non-native species can potentially wipe out the fishery as we've put it together." Wildlife officials are seeking information on anyone who may have released the goldfish into the lake, she said. CPW is currently considering two solutions -- electroshocking the fish or draining the lake. "With electroshocking, you go in the boat and stun the fish to paralyze and collect them," Churchill said, adding that the shock doesn't kill the fish. "The fish could also be collected if the lake is drained." Either way, wildlife officials will likely take them to a raptor rehabilitation center, where the fish will be used for feeding, Churchill said. Although a few residents have expressed interest in collecting the goldfish to keep them as pets, Churchill said she doesn't want to encourage the practice. "I'm going to talk to Boulder County, who owns the lake to see what they think, but I don't want to send the message that collecting fish for personal fun is okay," Churchill said.
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Police in Prince William County are warning residents that they might see some unexpected neighbors this spring. Coyotes have been spotted in the county often in recent years, and the number of sightings is only expected to increase as the human population grows, authorities said in a release Monday. Coyotes are mostly nocturnal, but have been seen during the day in urban and suburban areas. Authorities say that it's usually because they've been attracted to a food source or to areas under porches, decks and crawlspaces that would be ideal dens for their spring litters. Police offer the following tips to keep coyotes away:
Don't feed wildlife directly or indirectly, which can cause animals to lose their fear of humans.
Keep trash inside until it's about to be picked up, or keep it in an animal-proof bid.
Don't leave pet food outside, and keep any outdoor pet feeding areas clean.
Remove bird feeders when if you've seen problem species around them.
Close up all openings under and into your home and garage.
Clear fallen fruit from around trees.
Keep brushy areas in your yard cut down.
Keep small pets inside and on a leash when outside. Larger dogs are viewed as a threat, especially from January to June when coyotes are breeding.
Install coyote-proof fencing to protect unsupervised pets.
Remember that it's illegal in Virginia to trap and relocate an animal.
If a coyote or another animal is showing signs of rabies (stumbling, foaming at the mouth or aggression), call 703-792-6500 for an animal control officer and the police. For more information, click here:Prince William County Animal Control Bureau .
Dogs are truly loyal to their owners. It doesn’t matter if the pet owner is a law-abiding citizen or not, the pet will stand by his or her owner no matter what. In Florianópolis, Brazil, police officers raided a home and apprehended a group of drug traffickers. When the arrest was made, a pet was found in the residence and when the four-legged friend saw his owners lying on the floor, he too surrendered himself and lay next to his owners. One of the officers found the action of the canine endearing and snapped a photograph of the dog next to his owners. The officer posted the image on Twitter and the image went viral. The dog’s name and breed are unknown, an even though we don’t know what happened to the dog after his owners were taken away, one thing is for sure, the pet was not arrested and thrown to jail.
From, World Vets: Attention veterinarians. We are looking for a few good vets to help out with our student program in Nicaragua this summer. Must be experienced with spay/neuter and enjoy working with vet students. Requires a one week commitment and we have openings during select weeks during June and July. Its an incredible experience! Check out all the details below and email us if you are interested. Veterinary Medicine (IVM) Program is a student program where licensed veterinarians with at least one year of clinical experience can provide surgical instruction to veterinary students. DVM instructors will work one-on-one with students to teach spay and neuter surgery. You will be teaching students your real world techniques along with a few guidelines from World Vets. There are typically 5-6 veterinarians and 10-12 veterinary students per session. Volunteer vets will work one on one with 1-2 students at a time (similar to mentoring students on a preceptorship). Our lead veterinarians (Nicaraguan and North American) will provide orientation and be there throughout the program. No prior teaching experience is required however you must be comfortable and competent in performing and teaching basic spay and neuter surgery. Veterinarians are not expected to provide lectures or large group instruction. During community outreach, vets will work alongside students and Nicaraguan vets to do basic health consults and administer preventive healthcare treatments while sharing knowledge and basic techniques with students. We strive to create a low stress environment for teaching and learning while taking great care of our patients! More >>>
Bailey is an absolutely adorable, almost 9-year-old Yorkie, whose brave little heart was in big trouble. She had developed a condition called Third Degree AV (atrioventricular) Block. The heart is a muscular pump whose regular beating is controlled by electrical impulses that travel along the nerve pathways of the heart. In Bailey's case, there was a problem with this pathway that caused her to have an abnormally slow heart rhythm. The normal heart rate of a dog ranges from 80-160 beats per minute depending on the size of the dog, their athletic fitness, and their activity level. Little Bailey's heart was only beating at 40 beats per minute. This caused her heart to pump inefficiently and because of this she was developing congestive heart failure. Her family veterinarian, Dr. Wilson of Cedar Grove Animal Hospital, identified the problem and referred Bailey for an evaluation by our AERA board-certified Cardiologist, Dr. Gordon Peddle. Dr. Peddle performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram. Based on his findings he recommended that the solution to this problem was to implant a pacemaker to simulate the normal electrical pulses and improve the pumping efficiency of Bailey's heart. Dr. Peddle and the AERA-AEC Anesthesiologist, Dr. Lydia Love, worked side by side to perform the pacemaker implantation. Thanks to fluoroscopy there was no need to open Bailey's chest for this procedure. Instead, the pacemaker lead or wire, was threaded down her jugular vein and the generator (battery) was then buried within the muscles of her neck. Bailey recovered well post-surgically and has continued to do well. She was doing so well that it was even possible to discontinue some of her medications. You can view actual video of this procedure below.
Pittsburg, California - The Well-Pet Vet Clinic in Pittsburg was packed with patients on Friday afternoon. One of them had the name, Fireman. The little gray, tan, and white puppy was curled up in a wicker basket, he was sedated. "The dog is in an extreme amount of pain," said clinic nurse Beth Allen-Garland. "Someone did something really awful, it's either a severe chemical burn or somebody tried to light his ears on fire." Fireman was found on Wednesday in the play area at Antioch Animal Services. The area is surrounded by a six foot tall fence and volunteers say they don't know who may have dropped him off, or how they were able to. Kristy Keusch, one of the volunteers, decided to foster Fireman. Keusch says she can't figure out what caused the dog's injuries. "If he were to fall or stand in a chemical it would affect his paws, but his paws are not affected. I feel someone tortured him." Keusch has teamed up with Umbrella of Hope, an organization that says it saved more than 500 cats and dogs from Contra Costa County shelters last year, to help in Fireman's recovery. The Chihuahua mix will have to have his ears amputated due to the extent of his injuries. Beth Allen-Garland says Fireman should be able to live out a great life despite his injuries. She also says a thousand dollar reward is being offered by Fido Alert for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. "You kind of wonder about the people walking among us willing to harm an animal, let alone a baby animal." Fireman is hoping someday to find a loving full-time home. Umbrella of Hope says he could be up for adoption in four to six weeks. Adoption Information
Message from Umbrella of Hope: 'We have had over 100 inquiries about him as of 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd, 2015. Due to the sheer volume on inquiries we have received already, we will be unable to respond to inquires asking questions on adoption inquiries until he is made available for adoption. We will post updates on Fireman (just like all of our animals) on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Umbrellaofhope - please like our page https://www.facebook.com/Umbrellaofhopeand follow us to ensure that you receive updates.'
Donation Information Umbrella of Hope says monetary donations can be made to their Paypal at beourpet@gmail.com. Their tax ID number (tax-exempt) is 45-4103375.
Fido Alert - East Contra Costa County (Facebook post) ** $1000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest/prosecution of person or persons responsible for the chemical burns & abandonment of 8 week old puppy outside of Antioch Animal Services between March 30th & March 31st ** This is Fireman, he is barely 2lbs of Chihuahua mix. He was found outside of Antioch Animal Services on Tuesday whining & wincing in pain. His body hurts when he moves. His nose hurts when he presses it to anything. His ears are flaking apart. He longs to be picked up, but it hurts. Someone brought him to the shelter whilst it was closed. Someone found him or someone didn't want him, but surely someone will recognize him or know of his litter mates. He was immediately pulled by a rescue & will be treated for his injuries, for his pain, his ears will have to be amputated, he will need a lot of emotional support too as he fears being touched in light of his pain, but we are confident he will pull through as he already has won over many hearts in a matter of days who are all hoping for justice for this little guy. Please share Fireman, someone knows something or someone, whether this was an act of cruelty, neglect or an accident, this little guy should not have been left alone in the middle of the night even if it was within feet of the shelter. Our thanks to the staff & volunteers at Antioch Animal Services & to the care provided by Umbrella of Hope that will see Fireman healthy, healed & eventually in a home that will love him.
Niš (Serbia) - There are hundreds of dogs, wagging their tails and running free on fenced-off land in a Serbian town, and one man knows each of them by name. Sasa Pesic, out of work like around 17 percent of Serbians, came upon four abandoned puppies in woods near his home. The discovery changed his life dramatically, setting him on a path to becoming an advocate for stray dogs and opening a shelter in Nis in southern Serbia. Today it is home for more than 450 animals, but Pesic may soon have to move his canine horde as the city wants him to find a new location. "I know exactly how each dog arrived at my shelter, I know their names, personalities," says Pesic as he patted one of his charges. When the 45-year-old walks into the shelter, set on a piece of land near the center of town, hundreds of dogs of all sizes and colors run to him barking happily in greeting. The refuge is located at a former equestrian club stable that Pesic got rent-free from the owner back in 2010, where the dogs can be outside all day long. "It is only when night falls that we put them in their cages. They are happy this way," he says, adding that all the dogs have been vaccinated, sterilized and have microchips. There are 280,000 registered dogs in the Balkan country, but veterinary authorities say it is practically impossible to determine the exact number of stray canines, many being pets abandoned by their owners in hard economic times. An endless fight The sheer size of the problem makes the work of advocates like Pesic even more important, says Jovan Stojkovic, who is in charge of animal issues in the municipality of Nis. But recently the city, claiming the shelter's land belongs to it, told Pesic that he would have to leave with his dogs. That immediately sparked protests by animal rights groups. Tens of thousands of people signed a petition to prevent closing down the shelter, forcing the city authorities to back down and pledge to find a solution. "The city supports what Sasa is doing," Stojkovic tells AFP. "We are certainly not going to allow these dogs to end up back on the streets, that would be a disaster." For Pesic and his six volunteers, working with the animals is a non-stop business. "This is an endless fight. I don't have time to eat properly and even less to think about a private life," Pesic said. "You have to fight every day to provide food and care for all these animals." When starting out, Pesic was getting food for the dogs from local bakers and slaughterhouses. But supplies soon outstripped demand and he had to push for donations, especially through social networks. "People, especially from abroad, were rather open and backed our project. We need some $5,400 to $6,400, for our 400 to 500 dogs every month," he says. The battle to rescue stray dogs, which began in 2008, grew as people began bringing him abandoned pets that they found and the number of those ill-fated animals rose to 60, leading Pesic to move them to the current shelter. Ana Mitrovic, a shelter volunteer, believes the city will stick to its promise to help find a new home for the hundreds of canines. "I am confident that the city will help us to find, by the end of the year, a suitable location, a lasting solution to continue our activities," the 35-year-old woman tells AFP. And especially since the shelter is also trying to have its residents adopted. "Since opening, we managed to find homes for 250 dogs," Pesic says proudly.
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