The shelter for abandoned animals in Bar is fully booked, but the municipal company “Lovstvo” is trying to provide additional space for animals in need of urgent help. However, they do not see the long-term solution to the problem of abandoned and homeless animals in expanding the shelter's capacity, but in more responsible ownership, sterilization and castration.
This was told to "Vijesti" by the company, founded by the Municipality of Bar and managed by Marko Brnjada. "Lovstvo" manages the Shelter for Abandoned Animals in Kufin, and their work report shows that 187 dogs were adopted last year.
During 2025, 254 dogs were captured, 53 females were spayed and 50 males were neutered, while 27 dogs were returned to the locations where they were found. This year, 128 dogs were captured, 32 females were spayed, 19 males were neutered, and 16 animals were returned.
"Lovstvo" said that the shelter is currently full, but that, in accordance with the possibilities and the situation on the ground, they are trying to make space for animals that urgently need help.
The Local Plan for Dog Population Control in the Municipality of Bar for the period 2025-2030 regulates issues relevant to the control of the population of abandoned and owned dogs. The basis for its adoption is contained in the obligations from the Action Plan, which is an integral part of the National Program for Dog Population Control and which needs to be adopted and implemented.
One of the recommended measures from the Dog Population Control Program in Montenegro is the “catch-neuter-vaccinate-release” (CNVR) model, which controls the dog population in a specific location.
"Lovstvo" points out that the shelter's limited capacity cannot meet the needs of the city, given the large number of abandoned animals. They emphasize, however, that the shelter's work is not based solely on the permanent placement of dogs, but on their capture, sterilization and castration, followed by adoption or, if that is not possible, return to the location from which they were taken.
"The shelter is unable to provide permanent housing for every dog, due to limited capacity and the large number of abandoned animals," they stated.
A total of 90 dogs were treated at the shelter's veterinary clinic last year. The majority of the treatments were for infectious diseases, primarily parvovirus and coronavirus, while a smaller number of dogs were treated for gastroenteritis and respiratory infections. Five surgical treatments of traumatic wounds were also performed, as well as several operations to remove tumors from the surface of the skin.
Data provided to the editorial team shows that, in addition to capturing animals, a significant part of the work is focused on controlling their reproduction. "Lovstvo" explains that this is an attempt to reduce the number of abandoned dogs in the long term, while for animals that cannot be adopted, when conditions exist, a solution is sought through returning them to their location.
Speaking about euthanasia of dogs, the company emphasizes that it is not carried out due to lack of space or inability to adopt, but exclusively in cases of serious health conditions, when there is no longer a realistic possibility of recovery and quality of life, including advanced stages of leishmaniasis.
Last year, four dogs were euthanized, and this year, three dogs were euthanized for these reasons.
When it comes to owner responsibility, "Lovstvo" assesses that the situation varies - a large number of owners responsibly care for their pets, but there are also those who neglect their animals or keep them in inadequate conditions.
"Owner responsibility varies. We have a large number of responsible owners who take care of their pets, but, unfortunately, there are still a number of irresponsible owners who neglect animals or keep them in inadequate conditions," they stated.
Due to irresponsible keeping and neglect of animals, in the previous period and during this year there were several interventions in cooperation with the Municipal Police of Bar and the Veterinary Inspection. In some cases, the authorities went to the field, took measures within their jurisdiction and sanctioned the owners.
In July, the Bar shelter urgently took in six hunting dogs from Podgorica, which were temporarily taken from their owners by order of veterinary inspector Ružica Mirković, in an action by Podgorica volunteers, because they were not kept in adequate conditions. The dogs will remain in Bar until further notice, where they will be provided with safety and veterinary care.
Asylum is not a permanent solution
"Lovstvo" particularly emphasizes the importance of educating citizens, because the problem of abandoned animals, as they point out, cannot be solved by the work of shelters alone. According to them, responsibility begins with the owners - from providing adequate living conditions and controlling reproduction to preventing animals from being abandoned.
"The problem of abandoned animals can only be reduced in the long term through responsible ownership, sterilization, castration, breeding control, and greater education of citizens," they said.
One of the biggest challenges for employees is capturing wild and fearful dogs, which are difficult to contact and safely capture. Such interventions, they say, require additional time, caution and the involvement of people in the field, especially when the animal is in an inaccessible place or reacts aggressively out of fear.
Another problem is the expectation of citizens that every abandoned dog will be permanently placed in a shelter, which is not possible due to limited capacity. Therefore, according to "Lovstvo", they are focusing on adoption and population control, instead of making a shelter the only solution for every animal found on the street.
A particular challenge is the care of large animals and livestock, due to the conditions required for their accommodation and transport. Last year, one such case was recorded, when in a joint action with the Municipal Police and the Veterinary Inspection, irresponsible behavior of the owner was determined, who was sanctioned. The pigs were relocated and cared for at the farm in Spuž after the intervention.
During this year, there were several field trips based on reports from citizens, but the animals in those cases were not successfully captured or cared for.
Fines of 150 euros each
Speaking about the problem of stray cattle, the Municipality of Bar, headed by Dušan Raičević, told "Vijesti" that the procedure in such cases is regulated by Article 79 of the Decision on Communal Order. It stipulates that the Communal Police shall order the removal of large cattle and poultry found in public areas, set a deadline for their collection, and notify the owner, if known, as well as the competent company.
In cooperation with the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Administration, the Municipal Police and Inspection Service and "Hunting", which has a specialized trailer for transporting livestock, after reporting and capturing the animals, they are transported to a location for their care at the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions in the Velje brdo settlement in Podgorica.
During 2025 and since the beginning of 2026, the Municipality of Bar recorded a total of nine reports of stray cattle in public areas. The reports mainly related to areas outside the urban part of the municipality – Golo brdo in Sutomore, the village of Dapčevići in Pečurice, the village of Boljevići in Crmnica and the area below the Volujica hill.
After the procedure was carried out, six heads of cattle were taken care of. In the same period, three owners of stray cattle were identified and, in accordance with Article 113 of the Decision on Communal Order, were issued misdemeanor orders of 150 euros each.
At the same time, in joint activities with veterinary inspectors of the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Administration, two misdemeanor proceedings were initiated within their jurisdiction.
"There is no doubt that animal waste management, and timely and responsible action in cases of stray livestock, requires the attention of the competent institutions, and we are convinced that the construction of an incinerator for animal remains will establish a long-term and sustainable solution that will contribute to improving environmental protection, public health and more efficient action by the competent services in this area," said the Bar local government.
Volunteers feed and adopt dogs
"Lovstvo" emphasizes that volunteers also provide important assistance in the shelter's work, as several of them participate in adopting dogs, finding suitable homes, and promoting animals via social media. Some volunteers also help with grooming, or grooming the dogs before photographing them and posting ads for adoption.
"We would especially like to highlight the volunteers and citizens who regularly donate food for the dogs. Their support means a lot to us and is an important part of the shelter's functioning. Any help, whether through adoption, food donation, assistance with dog care or animal promotion, contributes to ensuring that as many dogs as possible receive proper care and, most importantly, a new home," said "Lovstvo".
However, they see the long-term solution outside the shelter itself - in more responsible ownership, sterilization and castration, breeding control, and greater engagement of institutions and citizens. Because, as they conclude, the number of abandoned animals cannot be reduced by simply increasing shelter capacity, unless efforts are made to prevent their abandonment and uncontrolled breeding.
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