From the former office buildings of the former Ulcinj giant, Construction Company "Primorje", which today look as if a tank division passed through them, a neglected and unconditioned Roma settlement begins. Collapsed and unsightly prefab houses made of boards covered with tar paper stretch further along the winding macadam road towards the former crushing plant, while on the edges of the plot where the forest begins, piles of garbage can be seen. Near the end of the bumpy road, on both sides, there are scrapped vehicles and auto-waste. There is also another gate, next to it there is a sign that the visiting time is from 10 am to 12 pm.
It is not easy to get to the Ulcinj shelter for abandoned animals, although it is located directly above the main road leading to Bar, from which there is no access to the shelter. It's a dead-end street with cages at the end that currently house 58 abandoned dogs of various species and ages.
"The most important thing is that all our dogs are healthy and that they regularly receive food, water and health care," says the deputy director of the utility company. Mirsad Sabovic, who, after taking office a month ago, also took over the supervision of the asylum.
The situation in the shelter is far from ideal, but the new management for the month has definitely made significant progress in terms of improving living conditions in the shelter. This can be concluded after the unannounced visit of a volunteer from Bar In the rear with friends from abroad and reporters from "Vijesti".
Sabović arrived at the scene immediately after the call.
In contrast to the earlier period, when there was often no one in the shelter, not even to receive food from donors, on Thursday two workers of the Municipal Corporation worked diligently in the shelter.
Sabović said that he found a chaotic situation, but he emphasized that he did not want to talk about something that was, but about plans and activities that are ongoing.
"And which asylum and the conditions in it will rise to a significantly higher level compared to the period of a month ago."
Sabović states that as soon as he took over supervision, he covered the asylum with four cameras, which he also monitors over the phone.
"All asylum employees must be there during working hours. It will no longer be the case that someone comes and there is no one there. Also, volunteers and donors, who previously had no one to leave food, will now have the opportunity to do so on all working days. And I promise that the food they bring will be distributed before them if they demand it. Thus, we also rule out the possibility of possible abuses."
Volunteer Galina said that she has been monitoring the work of the Ucinj asylum for 4-5 years, but not permanently but periodically, considering that she does not live in Ulcinj.
"In recent years, I came less frequently because I was faced with various obstacles to the help offered. Not only mine, but also the other volunteers who live in Ulcinj and who were either banned from entering or prevented from helping the dogs", Galina told Šabović.
He replied that such a thing will not happen in the future and that everyone who wants to help the work of the asylum is welcome.
Since he took over responsibility for the asylum, he claims, the dogs are given 300 to 400 grams of pellets per day, bread and water. He showed warehouses with bags of bread and granules.
Inside the clean cages, you could see the remains of stale bread.
The employees immediately gave the dogs a bag of granules brought by a volunteer from the Bar.
"Today's visit to the asylum and the conversation with the deputy director awakened in me a glimmer of hope that the animals from Ulcinj will not be brutally treated as in the previous period, about which I have extensive photos and other documentation", said Galina.
She added that she hoped that the new management understood that volunteers are partners in the same business, not opposing sides.
He believes that feeding animals with bread is very debatable from a health point of view.
"During today's visit, we found larger quantities of bread in the boxes than were given to the dogs in the previous period, and I think that the Ulcinj economy and citizens who can help should actively get involved in the problem, at least symbolically - by donating a bag of food a month."
Sabović stated that his first task is to keep all the dogs clean and fed. From October, he plans to feed the dogs cooked meat once a week.
"We have already ordered bowls for water and food that will be placed inside, tied to the cages, so that the dogs will be able to get to food and water more easily. We are in negotiations with some volunteers and donors to arrange a promenade above the existing boxes where the dogs will be able to stay outside the cage for a few hours, which has not been practiced until now."
He stated that the plan is to build six more boxes and that this is the maximum capacity of the shelter.
"We now have 56-58 dogs in the shelter and there is no more room. A maximum of 15 abandoned animals can fit in the new six boxes. That's why I appeal to the owners not to let their pets out on the street, they create big problems for us, but also for themselves, because they will surely pay big fines for that inhumane gesture."
Šabović said that the asylum also has a reception box where dogs are brought in from the street.
"Our veterinarian must first determine whether the dog is healthy. If so, he will be sterilized and placed in an asylum. If not, he needs treatment. I am satisfied because our veterinarian claims that all the dogs in the shelter are currently healthy. All were given cleansing pills and half of them were sterilized. Our vet has the final say on whether a dog will go outside or be adopted, we can't do it without him."
He also announced the construction of a new gate and the planting of fragrant plants.
"The new gate will be closed and visitors who come will not be able to see the inside of the asylum, except during the visit. Also, we will plant fragrant plants between the cages, which will have a double effect - they will eliminate unpleasant odors and create a natural block between the cages, so there will be less barking and noise."
Galina stated that negligence is visible in all suburban settlements where animals are hungry, neglected and wandering like ghosts.
"Many animals are veterinary untreated, primarily female dogs that reproduce uncontrollably, both owned and homeless. So, at the local level, it is necessary to adopt a regulation on keeping dogs and implement it and possibly sanction non-compliance with the provisions of that act."
She said that it would be good to consider renewed contacts with the Swiss organization Stray Coco, which was active in Ulcinj a few years ago, but permanently withdrew due to problems and an inadequate response from local authorities.
"And it is currently active and successful in Nikšić, in Kosovo and in Albania, and has a huge contribution to solving the aforementioned problems".
Prohibition of photography is counterproductive
Galina said that in any case, there is a lot of work ahead of the new management.
"The existing facility does not have all the accompanying facilities nor does it meet the conditions necessary for technical reception, but this should not be an obstacle for the animals already staying in the same facility not to undergo veterinary treatment and prepare for possible adoption."
She assessed that qualified labor is one of the most pressing problems in the functioning of the asylum so far.
"Hygiene measures were unsatisfactory because food is thrown to the animals in the same square of free space where there are feces. I hope the deputy director will fulfill his promise about the bowls.”
She stated that earring marking with the number of animals that have not been veterinary processed should be stopped.
"Confusion is created because many animals are branded and not castrated or sterilized, which is nonsense."
He claims that the asylum did not have any database on animals, and that this "must finally come to an end".
"We can speculate about the reasons, apart from negligence and bad organization."
She warned that there was no promotion of animals for adoption.
"Banning photography is counterproductive. Some dogs spent four years in the same small cage without ever leaving it, and that is devastating," said Galina, stating that she adopted four of those "prisoners" herself and that they all have "permanent disorders psychological nature".
Brochures with photos of all dogs first in schools
The director of Communal Senad Kolari said that his goal is for the asylum in Ulcinj to be an example to others in Montenegro.
"Soon I will invite all donors, volunteers, NGOs and organizations dealing with that problem, to conclude a memorandum of cooperation. In these conditions, we simply need each other. We alone, from the budget, cannot cover all the costs for quality care of abandoned animals. This cooperation will facilitate safe adoption and for this humane mission, we are soon planning the promotion of the asylum and all the abandoned animals that are currently there."
He emphasized that brochures with photos of all dogs will be distributed to schools first.
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