Kind regards to Radio Cafe for having us and to Anita Petrova for organizing the event! It was a fabulous evening, we all enjoyed it very much.

We had the pleasure of hearing:  Macrophone, Airbag, Ogi 23, AudioVelvet and Sugar DJ’s feat. Yavor (Gravity Co), DJ Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Britspotting Dj Team) and friends; hosted by Roro Kavaljiev.

Some of the lovely photos can still be found on display and for sale in the garden of Radio Cafe! Kind regards to RAKURS print for sponsoring them.

Photos from the event:

What a day! Our birthday party gathered over 350 friends of Animal Rescue Sofia at the Vivacom Art-Scene in Sofia centre. We had a lot of fun and collected 1800E for the dogs and cats of Animal Rescue Sofia.

Our huge thanks to sponsors from POBEDA AD for the tasty sweets they fonated for the party – all was wiped out quickly! Many hugs to cake-master Michaela Dimitrova-Popova who made our wonderful birthday cake – it was gone in minutes!

The party had the most amazing mood! Special thanks to DJ P6U – who despite the technical difficulties in the begginig played sunny and friendly music that everyone enjoyed. Special thanks to ABADA-Capoeira Bulgaria,  Capoeira Sofia and Capoeira Assotiation of Bulgaria who had a fantastic performance that just blew our minds. Special thanks to the enchanting team of club DIVINITAS for their breathtaking fire dance. Special thanks to the talanted team of Manghee ateler who challenged our guests with their beautiful crafts.

Hug thanks for our volunteer team on the ground: Photographer Pavlina Samokovlieva who made the most beautiful photos at the event. Anelia from VIRTU interiors who was onse more unstoppable and sold many t-shirts. Irina Marinova from Publicis Dialog who was helped greatly with the organization. Miroslava Rakyovska, Biliana Hristova and Kristian Stanchev who worked behind the bar. Zhasmina Atanassova who helped the Dogfathers choose and name doggies and everyone else who mafe this day a true and amazing celebration!

SEE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS IN THE GALLERY

SEE YOU AGAIN SOON, WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU!

Dear friends,

as you know we will be celebrating 1 year in Bogrov this Saturday from 03PM at the Summer stage of NDK. You are very wellcome.

We will have capoeira presentation, fire dances, a lovely workshop and loads of fun!

FULL INFO HERE (sorry, Bulgarian only)

Dear friends,

you can now get your dog microchipped for free if you Spay/Neuter it at the cilnic of Bogrov! Free microchipping is also available for dogs that have already been neutered.

As you know, with new Sofia Municipal regulation all pet dogs must be microchipped and registrered – there will be many check-ups by Sofia Inspectorate in parks and gardens, so make sure you have all your papers in order. This is a limited opportunity, Sofia Municipality has provided us with 200 microchips to destribute.

To make an appointment for neutering, please call: 0884125670; 02/4837015

(Have in mind we can’t afford a secretary and colleagues answer when they are near the phone)

HOW TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY:

1. Call us and make an appointment;

2. Make sure you don’t feed your pet 24h before the sergery;

3. Bring your dog at the appointed time;

4. When d-r Stankova has finished the sergery, take your neutered and microchipped pet home;

5. Recovery is quick and neutering is beneficial for your dogs health.

D-r Stankova is one of the most experienced Spay/Neuter surgeons in the region, having neutered nearly 2 000 dogs and cats in her medical practice. She is not only good at her work, but at her heart also – she has helped hundreds of dogs – both as a doctor and as a foster parent; she has been a volunteeer in Seslavci for years; she has been feeding and healing in Kremikovtzi through the many months we’ve been there. You can trust Marietta to take a good care of your dog – she is a true dog-person.

You are wellcome! Please, spread the word.

Check it out! IT Buddies elecrtonics online store is donating 5% of every order they get if you write “ARS” in the Voucher field! Have it in mind when you need an elecronic device.

Check out our SHOPS and PLACES where you can buy what you need and help our animals! Thank you :)!

STAR REPORTER (Bulgarian only) is a popular TV bit in the much watched Nova TV primetime news. This time singer Rossi Kirilova made a bit about the Bogrov shelter and the idea of adopting a pet, instead of buying one.

We have received an official responce from the Animal Wellfare Comissioner Dalli’s office on the case of the skinned dog we reported on April 06.

The letter states Bulgarian authorities will be asked to provide clarifications on the sale of dog fur at local markets as means to inspect the enforcement of an 2009 EU regulation, banning the sell of dog and cat fur.

Meanwhile our effort to have the pelt traced and confiscated, the owners of the shop fined etc. – has reached a stone wall. Our signal was re-traced by the RIEW ti the National Veterinary Service as the case is with a domesticated species.

The re-tracing letter was sent on 08.04.2011 by the RIEW to the president of the Veterinary Service. A copy of this letter was received by us. Two weeks have passed since the VS has had this letter, asking them to take over the case as a violation of the Animal protection act, but we have not heard of them.

We still hope to have the NVS’ attenttion – cases like this one should not be overlooked, but taken into serious account. We are tired of having laws that are only laws on paper.

Our regrards to the 117 friends of Animal Rescue Sofia who raised over 1550E for the dogs and cats in Bogrov shelter at our Spring Party!!! Thank you so much for joining us – it was wonderful to talk to you and have your support. The donations you’ve raised will all benefit the dogs and cats of  the Bogrov shelter. And of course, we loved the home-baked cakes you brought!

Our thanks to Mrs Anelia from VIRTU interiors and Miroslava Rakiovska for helping out with the merchandise. Thanks to Michaela Vlasseva for her beautiful jewlery she made. Thanks to Pavlina Samokovlieva for her lovely candles and the beautiful photos. Thanks to Kiffles dog treats for coming and donating a part of their profit. And thanks to Zhasmina Atanasova and Sylivia Koleva for their time and care in making everyone comfortable at this party!

See more photos in the GALLERY

See you soon! Our birthday party is planned for MAY 15 – Animal Rescue Sofia turns 1 year old!

Sofia municipal ecological council has voted a new regulation for owned dogs. While there are some very controversial texts about the confiscation of allegedly aggressive dogs and obligatory muzzles for each owned dog over 10kg, it is in general a step in the right direction.

The new regulation deals with the issue of registration, obligating every dog owner to microchip and register their dog. There are fines for those who don’t, as well as free chips for everyone who desides to neuter their pet for free at a neutering centre in the city.

One very important text specifies that a “stray dog” is any dog that is not under total control of the owner. This means dogs living in yards, construction sites, parkings etc. will be now also a part of the TNR program in Sofia.

Useful links (please use your Google translator)

1. Sofia Municipality new regulation (Bulgarian only, in process of voting)

2. I don’t bite – Facebook group against the compulsary muzzle for dogs over 10 kg (Bulgarian only)

3. Our own Stella Raycheva comments the new rules in Bulgaria’s biggest daily – TRUD (Bulgarian only)

4. Niki Rusinovski comments the new rules in WebCafe.bg (Bulgarian only)

Large penalties, as well as imprisonment for up to 3 years for the murdering or mutilation of an animal have now become a part of Bulgaria’s penalty code. The Parliament has voted higher penalties for the organizing and taking part in animal fights, as well as sanctions for owners whose animals have caused physical harm to another person.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANGES IN THE CODE (Bulgarian only)

We are very happy that Bulgaria has joined the civilized world in ruling animal cruelty is a crime. We hope to now have the police working on the cases of animal cruelty occurring in Bulgaria daily.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING SO FAR

Romania is about to slaughter 3 million dogs

On the 5th of April the Romanian Commission for Public Administration, which advises the Chamber of Deputies, agreed on a legal amendment which legalizes mass euthanasia of dogs again. With this decision the Commission ignores the advice given on 10 March by the European Parliament.

Since the end of the communist regime of Ceausescu EU member state Romania developed a serious stray dog problem. For decades authorities failed to intervene properly. Dogs were inhumanely caught and killed randomly.

In the nineties The World Health Organization proofed scientifically that killing dogs has no effect on the root cause of the problem. The W.H.O. stated spay/neuter is the only effective way to reduce the number of free roaming dogs besides informing the citizens about responsible dog ownership. Stray dogs are not the problem itself; it’s the irresponsible dog owners who continuously deliver new fertile dogs in combination with corruptive authorities which sabotage spay/neuter projects to make money.

Besides the fact spay/neuter is the only effective way to deal with a surplus of dogs, it is humane and much cheaper than the endless catching and killing of free roaming dogs.

In Romania stray dogs are seldom euthanized humanely. Dogs are being caught violently and beaten to death with baseball bats, shot, poisoned or starved to death.

Several NGO’s have proven that the stray dog problem in Romania can be solved. In the city of Oradea (210,000 inhabitants) the number of stray dogs has been reduced with 90% in 4 years time by spay/neuter all free roaming dogs and educating the public.

Next week the members of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies will vote for the legal amendment. It is likely the Chamber of Deputies will copy the Commission’s decision where after the massacre will start.

The last decade Romania has spent 40 million Euros on tax payer’s money on the stray dog problem, but due to corruption the money ended up in private pockets. The stray dog problem turned into a very profitable business for many politicians and their relatives.

Next week it will become clear if Romania, member of the European Union since 2007, sets itself back in time and lets corruption gain the victory, or act upon the European Commission’s advice and, like neighbor country Bulgaria, starts resolving the stray dog problem nationally, effectively, structurally and humanely.

For more information please contact:
Nathalie Klinge
E-mail address: barkbark@planet.nl

PLESE SIGN THE PETITION – WE ONLY HAVE TILL APRIL 12!

A report has been filed at RIEW-Sofia, after we made a frightening discovery at Iliyancy Bazaar this morning. One of the shops had the skin of a large brindle dog at the entrance as a door mat.

We remind you that on the night 28.08.2010 an unidentified criminal broke into the shelter premises and skinned 3-month old puppy Jessy alive. He left her skin as a token for us to find in the morning.

Bulgaria is the only EU country where cruelty to animals is not regarded a crime. Deeds like this one lead criminals to jail in Europe whilst here, skinning a dog is just a joke. We are still waiting for the Parliament to vote the changes in the Penalty Code.

Full-size photos can be downloaded from HERE

The REPORT in Bulgarian only