For a Safer and More Humane Kosovo – Take Action Now to Address the Stray Dog Crisis

More than 50,000 stray dogs live on the streets of Kosovo. It is time for a humane, long-term, nationwide solution—for the sake of both animals and people.

Every day, tens of thousands of dogs live on Kosovo’s streets without a home, without anyone taking responsibility for them, and often without access to food, clean water, or veterinary care.

A nationwide survey conducted in 2024–2025 estimates that there are approximately 50,654 stray dogs in Kosovo. The same study found that only around 11 percent of these dogs have been sterilized. This means the problem is likely to continue growing unless strong and long-term measures are taken.

Behind these numbers lies immense suffering.

During the extreme summer heat, dogs lie exhausted on sidewalks, searching for shade wherever they can find it and struggling every day to survive without sufficient food or water. Many are sick, injured, or malnourished. No living being should have to endure such conditions.

One contributing factor to this problem is that some dogs are abandoned by their owners. When dogs become old, sick, or are no longer considered desirable for other reasons, some are simply left to fend for themselves. Owning an animal means accepting responsibility for it throughout its entire life. This is why clearer legislation and much stronger enforcement against animal abandonment are needed. Anyone who deliberately abandons a dog should be held accountable and face meaningful consequences.

There are also reports of organized dog fighting and other forms of severe animal cruelty. Such acts are unacceptable and must be met with decisive action. Anyone who causes animals to suffer for profit or entertainment should be prosecuted and face significant penalties.

But this is not only an animal welfare issue.

As the number of stray dogs continues to grow, larger packs are forming, creating insecurity and, in some cases, posing a risk to public safety. Children should be able to play safely. Elderly people should be able to walk without fear. Residents and visitors alike should be able to move freely throughout Kosovo’s cities and villages.

This is also about Kosovo’s future.

Kosovo is working hard to strengthen its international standing, attract more visitors, develop tourism, and create economic growth. Today, thousands of people around the world discover Kosovo through social media, travel programs, and news coverage.

When images and videos showing large numbers of homeless, sick, and malnourished dogs are shared internationally, they risk creating a negative perception of the country. This affects how Kosovo is viewed abroad and may discourage people from visiting.

Addressing the stray dog crisis is therefore not only about animal welfare and public safety. It is also about Kosovo’s international reputation, its attractiveness as a destination, and its future development as a country for tourism and investment.

This is not about criticizing Kosovo.

It is about showing care for a country that we love and want to see continue to develop. A modern society takes responsibility for both people and animals.

Therefore, we call on the Government of Kosovo to immediately strengthen its efforts by adopting a comprehensive, long-term national strategy to address the stray dog crisis in a humane, science-based, and sustainable way.

We call on the Government to:

• Implement large-scale spay and neuter programs.

• Ensure vaccination, veterinary care, and basic welfare for homeless dogs.

• Expand and support animal shelters while strengthening cooperation with veterinarians and animal welfare organizations.

• Introduce a nationwide system for dog registration and identification.

• Strengthen legislation and enforcement against animal abandonment and introduce meaningful penalties for anyone who abandons a dog.

• Intensify efforts to combat organized dog fighting and all forms of animal cruelty through stronger law enforcement and tougher penalties for those who organize or participate in such activities.

• Launch public awareness campaigns promoting responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, registration, and lifelong care for companion animals.

• Allocate the financial resources necessary to ensure a sustainable, long-term solution.

• Develop a national action plan with clear objectives, a timeline, dedicated funding, and annual public reporting to ensure that efforts to address the stray dog crisis remain transparent, measurable, and effective.

We firmly believe that Kosovo has every opportunity to become a regional leader. By taking a comprehensive approach to the stray dog crisis, the country can demonstrate that economic development, tourism, public safety, and strong animal welfare can go hand in hand. Such leadership would strengthen Kosovo’s reputation both nationally and internationally.

This petition will be formally presented to the Embassy of Kosovo in Stockholm with a clear request that our concerns and demands be forwarded to the Government of Kosovo.

We also hope that the Government of Kosovo will view this petition as an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation. Our goal is not to point fingers, but to contribute to positive change that benefits both people and animals—today and for future generations.

Every signature is a statement in support of a Kosovo where animals are no longer left to suffer, where people can feel safe, and where the country continues to develop as a modern, responsible, and attractive nation.

If you share our conviction, please sign this petition and help us create lasting change.