The word Animal Welfare doesn’t exist in Macedonia, with an estimated 1 million strays living on the streets, falling prey to being run over by a tram or car to sustain horrific injuries, with others falling victim to the routine poisonings, beatings, shootings and general abuse that life on the streets deals the street dogs. Even now, in the 21st century, rescue is in its infancy, with no adequate shelter system, and incarceration in the Government Pounds being a one-way ticket with the most horrific animal rights record, and terrible suffering everywhere :’/

There are no private dog shelters and only a couple of charities working in the whole of Macedonia at the moment, yet there are a lot of good young people all striving to help the stray dogs. Yet we have many problems – veterinary care without proper equipment and supplies, inadequate housing, no opportunities for rehoming…. all of which means there is not much hope for those dogs lucky enough to actually be rescued from the street.

As a result, individual young people, such as myself, have created “refuges” right across Macedonia, that are not classed as shelters, nor a fostering situation as there are many dogs, living both outside and inside, with outbuildings or various rooms in the house used for quarantining and young puppies. These Refuges form an essential part of the Dog Rescue Movement in Macedonia, and they provide a safe and kind environment where the frightened street dogs can get used to living alongside other dogs and humans in a calm, relaxed setting.

Yet we need a lot of help with food and medical care for the 50+ dogs that we have in our shelter near Skopje at any one time, and to try to relieve the enormous burden that I fund entirely from my own income and a few donations from kind hearted people. In time, we hope to help with better facilities, to make life easier for all.

If anyone is able to help us in this effort, by sponsoring the refuge to help us to supply food and medical aid, please consider setting up a monthly or weekly sponsorship. Thank you so much everyone!

Regular Sponsorship:

If you would like to sponsor the refuge, you can set up recurring monthly, quarterly or annual payment of any amount you choose, please contact us. Your sponsorship will continue until you decide to cancel.

Thank you so much everyone!

Mirjana x