Saranda is gearing up for its busiest summer season yet. Mayor Oltion Caci is often out of town promoting the place as a tourist’s paradise. History! Culture! Adventure!

That’s the perception.

Here’s the reality. A number of tourists have seen the city’s dark underbelly: starving stray dogs and cats, puppies and kittens tossed in the trash.

On May 22, 2024, a tourist from Spain posts on Facebook:

“Hello, I need help, I don't know what to do this morning I saw a woman who was throwing these cats in the trash I picked them up but I have to go to Indonesia on June 1 I'm a digital nomad I can't keep them, and I can't find anyone who wants them in adoption what should I do?”

Dbvpk Bashkia Sarande — the Directorate of Agriculture — seems like a logical place to ask for help. To date, there has been no help from the mayor — or any city official — for abused animals. Indeed, Bashkia promised to find the criminals who poisoned several of Saranda’s beloved street dogs in early March. That investigation is at a total standstill.

Mr. Mayor: The tourists you so eagerly want to visit your town are noticing: the reality doesn’t match the publicity. Do better.