Our project is situated in an impoverished region south of Warsaw. The typical street dogs, the ones that have already been born “in the street”, are rare. Dogs that roam around have either lost their way, been abandoned by their owners or left unattended whilst “minding their own businesses”. In every house and on every farm, there is at least one dog, if not several. These dogs are generally not castrated. 

Exposed to wind and weather

However, most dogs serve their lives as chain dogs, especially on farms. Dog kennels, like we know them, are very rare. Most of the time they are meagre wooden sheds that offer no protection from wind or weather. Even these privately-owned dogs receive no medical care like vaccinations or anti-parasite treatments.

Uncontrolled proliferation

The birth rate amongst those dogs is very high since they are usually not spayed or neutered. Female dogs on chains are often impregnated by the neighbouring free roaming dogs. Frequently, the owners kill or abandon the puppies after birth. On a regular basis, residents or woodland walkers draw our attention to groups of puppies.

Helping dogs since 2010

In this region as well as in many other rural areas, neutering cats and dogs is almost an unknown practice. People are sceptical, or simply cannot afford the castration of their animals. Since 2010, TSB|AWF are committed to help animals in this region. Since then, we spayed and neutered more than 7,000 cats and dogs. In the later stage of the project also in cooperation with local communities and the city council of Starachowice. The communities also committed to registering and microchipping the dogs, which put an end to the brutal dog-catching business in this area.

Since 2017, we have been encouraging communities to play a greater financial role in our castration programme. We have demonstrated that, ultimately, they would also save money by taking part in the programme.

Since 2010 over 7,000 dogs and cats have been neutered. Hundreds of animals have been placed in better homes and difficult cases have been placed in responsible dog shelters. They remain in our care until death. 

We have now completed the project and are very satisfied with the results of our work. As a foreign animal welfare organisation, we cannot achieve any more at regional level.