While Saranda’s mayor posts almost daily on social media celebrating the place as a tourist’s paradise, many tourists witness the dark underbelly of animal abuse.

Almost daily, you can also find posts from tourists horrified by puppies and kittens tossed in the trash, emaciated and wounded animals along the roadside, and much worse. Recent examples from around Albania: a man raping his dog, teenagers beheading a dog for fun, a dog beaten to death in Tirana on an apartment terrace in full view of neighbors.

A few dedicated individuals in Saranda work tirelessly — on a shoestring budget and with no facilities to provide shelter or ongoing care. 

For more than a year, the mayor has ignored multiple requests to even discuss the issues, let alone attempt to resolve them. A massive spay-neuter campaign is essential even to begin to turn the tide in animal misery. The city reportedly has the funds but lacks the interest. 

One recent tourist has complained to the European Union. A partial response:

• Since your complaint is not regulated by EU law, we will close the File, BUT we have forwarded your information to the relevant unit in the EU that is responsible for Albania's accession process to become a member of EU which is monitoring the situation in Albania.

The whole world is watching — and waiting — Mr. Mayor. Now that the tourist season is winding down, we hope you can find some time in your schedule to meet and to work to find solutions.