HARMONY - Permanent Dog Shelter Project, Bulgaria

‘
Y
o
u
see things; and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never
were; and I say 'Why not?'
George Bernard Shaw
Table of contents:
1
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………5
2. Problem Statement ……………………………………………….6
2.1 Research problem summery ………………………………….7
2.2 Problem tree ………………………………………………….8
3. Mission & Vision ………………………………………………..10
4. Defining the sector and other NGO’s …………………………...11
4.1 Animal Welfare Foundation of Bulgaria …………………....11
4.2 Bulgarian Society of Animal Protection and Preservation ….13
4.3 Four Paws Bulgaria …………………………………………14
4.4 Nobody’s Pet ………………………………………………..15
5. Defining the added value ………………………………………..16
6. Marketing Plan ………………………………………………….17
6.1 External Analysis / DESTEP Analysis ……………………...17
6.2 Stakeholder Analysis ………………………………………..26
6.2.1 General Public ……………………………………… ..26
6.2.2 Other NGO’s and NPO’s ……………………………..26
6.2.3 National Government …………………………………27
6.2.4 Municipalities …………………………………………27
6.2.5 European Union ……………………………………….28
6.2.6 Private Interest Groups ………………………………..28
6.3 Surveys ………………………………………………………29

6.3.1 Survey I Summery …………………………………….29
6.3.2 Survey II Sumery ……………………………………...30
6.4 Internal Analysis ……………………………………………. 30

6.5 SWOT Analysis ……………………………………………...32
7. Defining the strategic framework

7.1 Harmony’s main objective …………………………………...35
7.2 Harmony’s immediate objectives …………………………….35
7.3 Choosing Strategies …………………………………………..36
8. Marketing Action Plan ……………………………………………36

8.1 Fundraising Plan ……………………………………………...36
8.1.1 Collecting personal contributions ………………………36
8.1.2 Acquiring grants ………………………………………. 37
2
8.1.3 Earned Income ………………………………………… 37
8.1.4 Special Events …………………………………………. 37
8.2 Corporate collaboration ……………………………………… 38

8.3 Licensing agreement …………………………………………. 38
8.4 Sponsorship agreement ………………………………………. 38
9. Promotion Plan ……………………………………………………. 39

9.1 Promotional Plan – General Public …………………………… 39
9.2 Promotion Plan – other NGO’s and NPO’s …………………… 39
9.3 Promotion Plan – National Government and Municipalities ….. 40
9.4 Promotion Plan – European Union ……………………………..41
9.5 Promotion Plan – Private companies …………………………...41
10.Organizational Plan ………………………………………………....42

11.Executive Summery …………………………………………………42
References ………………………………………………………………44
Appendix A
The Street Dogs as a Social Problem …………………………………… 46
Appendix B
Harmony’s Online Survey ………………………………………………..54
Appendix C
Cash flow forecast ………………………………………………………..63
Appendix D
Desk Research ……………………………………………………………64
References (Desk Research) …………………………………………….. 123
3
‘You see things; and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I
say 'Why not?'
George Bernard Shaw
“Shut up!” Boiko Gulabov, a Biostroi guard, yelled at the dogs. The one-eyed
middle-aged man, with a gun in his back pocket, kicked the dogs’ cages in an
attempt to calm them down. Running from one side of the cage to the other, the
dogs became even more agitated, not with the initial joy of seeing visitors, but
with fear and despair (Serban-Temisan,M., 2006).
4
Between 1999 and 2002 a total of 47 725 street dogs were killed, in 2004 the
total was 8 453 dogs killed, while there were a further other 10 000 to 12 000
dogs roaming the streets of Sofia (Dimitrova, K., 2005)
1. Introduction
“Dog is men’s best friend”
Right now there are 10 to 20 thousand stray dogs wandering around the streets
of Sofia alone – the capital of Bulgaria. The problem with the stray dogs in
Bulgaria is not new. City halls seem to be trying to cope with this problem;
unfortunately there have been no positive outcomes.
During the past several years, the captured stray dogs have been a subject to
euthanasia. It makes absolutely no sense to believe that randomly capturing stray
dogs and killing them is the right way of coping with the problem; without
nurturing the dogs, every killed dog is equivalent to two more new stray dogs.
Euthanasia is the practice of medically-assisted death. It is a controversial

subject, not only because there are many different moral dilemmas associated
with it, but also in what constitutes its definition. At the extreme ends of
disagreement, advocates say euthanasia, also known as physician aid in dying,
or physician assisted suicide, is a merciful method of death. At the other end are
opponents of euthanasia, who may consider this method as a form of murder
(Wikipedia, 2008).
Humans are strange animals. For absolutely no well-justified reason, we just get
rid of the dogs, which have no owner. After that we call it euthanasia, which
5
term in Bulgaria seem to have different meanings. The term euthanasia comes
from the greek words "eu" and "thanatos" which combined means “well-
death” or "dying well" (Wikipedia, 2008). Anywhere else, yes, but not in
Bulgaria. In the so called “isolators”, the captured dogs have been kept for a
period of 14 days. If nobody comes to adopt the dog in this period, it becomes a
subject to euthanasia. Or at least, that is the bigger picture. As already
mentioned, euthanasia in Bulgaria is a term with controversial meanings –
starving to death, being beaten to death or being eaten by a “bigger brother”-
those are only a few of the meanings.
But why is there no control over the isolators and the ways stray dogs are being
tread in there? Corruption, political interests and groups, money, etc. – taking a
look just beyond the problem of stray dogs:
2. Problem statement
“Stray dogs exist in many places in the city – fearful, underfed, hopeful fo a
piece from the breakfast of any passer by. Are stray dogs guilty of being what
they are? In cases of attacks mass media balloon the story of fierce killer-dogs
rambling around, but often the truth comes out later, when everything is past and
forgotten. Like in the case of the British lady bitten to death when people were
left to think that it was the doing of stray dogs, while they were actually guard
dogs let loose” (Grigorova, D., 2008) This story was in the headlines of all the
newspapers next day. But looking for a sale story is hardly the only reason this
happened and was it a coincidence that this scandalous story boomed only 24
hours before the Bulgarian parliament was going to vote on the new Animal
Protection Law? Read further and decide for yourselves:
6
2.1 Research problem summery
- Every year in Bulgaria, 5.000.000 leva (about €2.500.000) of the budget

are go for the stray dogs problem. A very small amount of this money is
actually spent on coping with the issue; the bigger amount disappears in
somebody’s pocket. According to the new Animal Protection Law, tow
halls are obliged to start new nurturing programs, cooperating and under
the control of Animal Protection organizations.
- Far larger amount of money is involved in the illegal dog fights. And not
only mafia bosses are involved in this illegal industry, but also famous
politicians, sportists and even the police. Previously, dog fights were also
illegal, but there was no control over and no fines. With the new
legislation, stronger control is taken into consideration as well as
enormous fines and administrative punishments.
- Not long ago, dog fur trades were considered just a legend. Soon the facts
were proven and the truth was reveled. Even prestigious institutions, such
as the National Military-Medical Academy, were proven to use stray dogs
for illegal experiments. According to the new Animal Protection Law,
individuals involved in such actions will be subject not only to
administrative punishments, but also to imprisoning.
- It is not clear the number of Animal Protection Organizations. Together
with the ‘real’ ones, which actually do their job, there is a number of
‘fake’ ones, which receive unestablished amount of subsidizing on a
regular basis.
- The problem with the stray dogs is an instrument, which besides of
distracting publics’ attention, serves also very well in pre-elections
campaigns.
7
Too many different interests stay behind the problem. Nevertheless, the new
Animal Protection Law is effective as of January 31, 2008. It’s a huge step,
having the fact that stray dogs are not to be a subject of euthanasia anymore.
Two approaches were discussed in the Parliament – the CCR method (catch,
castrate & release) or building shelters in every big city, where dogs will be
offered for adoption and if not adopted they will be taken care of until the end of
their life. Of course, the second method is far more expensive and difficult to
realize. This, in no case means impossible, especially for a country which is an
European Union member state and which pretends to be trying to keep up with
the European Union standards. But as already mentioned, too many interests are
being threatened, if this current problem finally comes to an end.
2.2 Problem tree
8
Between 1999
and 2006 a total
of 150 000 street
dogs were killed.
Rise in number
Until 2007, the
Bulgarian Number of of animal No permanent
legislation defined protection
euthanasia as the stray dogs dog shelters
organizations
only legal way of rises. from Bulgaria exist
coping with the
stray dogs & abroad
New European Organizations

Union Ignoring the against
Wrong method Because of the
legislation. problem Bulgarian Lack of
(Animal of solvind the
legislation
previous
problem (consciously) legislation funding
Protection Law) (and against
corruption)
No change in the
legislation until
Political
January 2008
(enforced by Interests
EU)
Corruption
&Money
making
Other groups
interests
9
3. Mission & Vision
We strive to contribute to HARMONY life in Bulgaria, where stray dogs will no

longer constitute a problem to people and vice versa. By providing the most
necessary and simple living conditions for the stray dogs, we strive to create
such a pleasant environment, so that not only the dogs will lead the life they
deserve, but also humans will deserve to call themselves ‘humans’!
is an independent, non-profit organization. Our

aim is to build the first chain of permanent dog
(and cat) shelters throughout Bulgaria and let not a single stray dog remain
homeless, hungry, mistreated and used for horrifying purposes. We call all the
dog lovers and animal protection organizations, together with us to create a
strong unity against corruption, political interests and money making.
We are operating in the private sector of non-profit, independent animal

protection organizations. A list of similar organizations and their functions can
be found below:
10
4. Defining the sector and other NGO’s
4.1 Animal Welfare Foundation of Bulgaria
During the last 15 years in the City of Sofia, there’s been carefully nourished
a peculiar perplexity by a bulk street manifestation of abandoned, cross-bred
dogs, followed by the disappearance of them most (…)The animal owners
and sosiety as whole has been shaped for years by the
authorities, journalists and popular SPCAs (so-called "nature defenders")
discussing only the situation concerning the "street dog population" in Sofia
and the amendment of an Animal Protection Act. Thus the process in their
integrity stays neglected.
Nevertheless, we believe that enough people concern in welfare of all pet

animals in Bulgaria. Since December 2002 we talk about welfare of the both
cat and dog populations, population growth and population shift. The APF
remains the leading initiative focused on frustration of the habitual pet
breeding in the households and restriction of the pet movements.1 (AWF,
2008)
Current projects and campaigns:

The APF finds a serious potential for progress in the cultivation of the traditional
kind interest of the Bulgarian people in animals. For the moment we are wholly
concentrated on the problem with the excessive pet breeding in the households,
1
Animal Welfare Foundation of Bulgaria - http://www.animalprograms.org/indexENG.htm
11
impulsive acquiring of kittens and puppies and unrestricted movements of
animals.
In Sofia where the populations are unusually inconstant we intend to
undertake a concrete steps in order to stabilize the population shift:
(1) Launching an Info-educational program. The objectives are to
heighten the morality and community awareness about the plight of the grownup
animals; popularizing re-homing, early-aged/timely sterilization and registration.
(2) Collection of abandoned and lost animals by no-kill sheltering and

foster-homes; sterilization of the abandoned animals; rehoming. The
objectives are to restrict the pet movements and abuse; to heighten the
acquiring of sterilized animals; to discourage the habitual amateur
breeding.
(3) Aiding owners with an easy access to a quality, prompt and low-cost
services: sterilization, marking, registration. The objectives are to
increase the prevalence of the sterilized animals, by establishing
practice of early-aged/timely sterilization; surveying movement of owned
animals.
The introduction of our initiative has to be taken as a serious pilot

project. The chances of government institutions doing something right
about it in the next few years looks ever so meager. Furthermore, the
animal owners and sosiety as whole has been shaped for years by the
government, journalists and so-called "nature defenders" (popular SPCAs)
discussing only the situation concerning the "street-dog population" in
Sofia and the amendment of an Animal Protection Act. Thus far nothing much
has been reach in right direction by anyone, and the process in their integrity
stays neglected.
12
4.2 Bulgarian Society of Animal Protection and Preservation – BSAPP
The Bulgarian Society for Animal Protection and Preservation

(BSAPP) is an animal rights charity that was founded by Dr. Stoyan
Stoyanov, DMV, Ph.D. and has been in existence since 1998.
BSAPP's primary position is that dogs and cats should not be allowed
to breed uncontrollably. BSAPP believes that when the dog and cat
population is not controlled, serious health, personal safety and
animal rights issues arise as a result.
In order to end the suffering of countless innocent animals in

Bulgaria, widespread sterilization must be carried out. BSAPP also
believes that the success of a sterilization campaign is interdependent
with community outreach and education that will inspire people in
Bulgaria to support and participate in anti-pet overpopulation
initiatives as well as learn compassion for animals.2
History - BSAPP was founded 1998 by Dr. Stoyan Stoyanov, DVM, Ph.D.
Associate Professor at the National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical
Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria. Dr. Stoyanov has been a practicing veterinarian and
specialist in obstetrics and gynecology for 30 years. He created the rescue center
in Sofia in order to help control the overpopulation of street animals in Bulgaria.
Due to economic conditions in the country that resulted from the fall
of communism, many Bulgarians did not feel they had the resources
to care for a pet so many of these unfortunate animals were
abandoned on the streets. This created overpopulation of dogs and
2
Bulgarian Society of Animal Protection and Preservation - http://bulgariadogs.com/
13
cats as well as well as serious health and personal safety risks for
humans.
Current projects & campaigns:
- Sterilization campaign
- Fund raising campaign
- Online adoption campaign
4.3 Four Paws Bulgaria
The task of the FOUR PAWS/VIER PFOTEN is to help mistreated animals -

regardless of whether this be from economic, scientific or other purposes - to a
life that corresponds to the requirements of the species. We set specific goals
and attempt to achieve them with strategic public relations efforts and lobbying.
Current projects & campaigns
The aim of our campaign work is to achieve long-term, legally binding

improvements for farm animals, laboratory and companion animals and
wildlife. One of our focuses is on farm animal welfare improvements; the
concrete solutions we offer here clearly demonstrate the economic benefits
14
and appropriateness of our approach. We have also committed ourselves to
ending animal experiments and replacing them with modern, more
effective and scientifically recognized test methods. Finally, we also seek
to prohibit fur farming in Europe and to ban the keeping of wild animals by
private persons.
The foremost concern of our national and international aid projects is to provide
rapid and direct help for animals in distress. If the need arises, we provide an
appropriate habitat for the animals. In order to prevent animal suffering from the
onset, we are also devoted to achieving long-term improvements at the legal
level.3
Bulgaria
- popularizing the CCR method (catch-castrate-release)
- exercising the CCR method in cooperation with different

municipalities
4.4 Nobody’s pet
Bezdom.info is an independent website, supported by a couple of

enthusiasts. Its primary objective is to give more information about stray
3
Four Paws Bulgaria - http://www.vier-pfoten.bg/website/output.php?id=1019&language=1
15
animals in Bulgaria. Via the classifieds we hope to find new homes for
the cats and dogs that are saved from the streets or the terrible conditions in
the isolating. There is a section for lost and found animals, as well as a
Happy End section. You can also post your comments in our international
forum. We have been online for more than a year and now we have started
our English language section.4
Current projects & campaigns

- online adoption program
- different campaigns against animal cruelty
- news & investigation section
5. Defining the added value
Just as all other NPO’s working on the problem with the stray dogs in Bulgaria,
HARMONY is striving to solve this problem in the most humane way. Harmony
also supports the CCR (catch-castrate-release) method and stands against
euthanasia. Due to different reasons (lack of funds, Bulgarian legislation, etc.),
same NPO’s find the idea of building permanent shelters almost impossible.
They do concentrate their efforts on solving the problem (namely decreasing the
number of stray dogs in Bulgaria) but at the same time subconsciously escape
the core of the problem itself – namely, providing better care of the well-being
of the animals themselves. Nurturing programs will reduce the number of stray
dogs for sure, but they won’t help them live the lives they deserve. Releasing
them back on the streets is the technical solution but not the humane one.
Harmony strives to build the first chain of permanent dog & cat shelters
throughout Bulgaria, where the animals will be taken a proper care and will be
4
Nobody’s Pet - http://www.nobodyspet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=37
16
offered for adoption. If not adopted, at least they will have the chance to have a
place called ‘home’, where they will be taken care of by specialists and
volunteers and where they will receive the care and attention which we - the
society of humane individuals owe them!
In a country which is a part of the European Union and which pretends to be
doing its best to keep up with the EU standards – it is simply obligatory for such
shelters to exist! The lack of such a system is only a shame for Bulgaria and
simply can be a base for other EU countries to take their conclusions on the
question – does Bulgaria deserve to be a part of the Union or not yet?
6. Marketing Plan
6.1 External analysis

DESTEP Analysis
Economic aspects
• Home economy situation and trends
In the case of economic criteria, the Bulgarian functioning market economy

improved with a degree of stability upon the progress in structural reforms and
incremental efficient allocation of resources. However, it further needs to
increase the
flexibility of product and labor markets, particularly the efficiency of the
administrative
17
and the judicial system, to complete the privatization program (Cemrec, M,
2004).5
• Enterprise
Bulgaria has made significant progress since the Commission's 1997 opinion
and its industrial strategy now broadly complies with the principles of
European industrial policy. Bulgaria's industrial policy has become stable,
predictable and market-based. The privatization and restructuring process has
moved forward considerably. Bulgaria has also improved the business
environment, consolidated the banking sector and attracted foreign investment.
Furthermore, it has strengthened its administrative capacity, particularly due to a
restructuring of the Ministry of the Economy (…)
Bulgaria generally meets the requirements of the accession negotiations

concerning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Since the
Commission's 1997 opinion, Bulgaria has made progress with regard to its SME
policy, particularly due to the more stable economic conditions, reduction in the
tax burden and the enhanced business climate. Bulgaria has been participating in
the multiannual programme for enterprises and entrepreneurship for SMEs since
1998 and has signed up to the European Charter for Small Enterprises adopted
in March 2000. A strategy aimed at improving the business environment for the
period 2002-2006 was also adopted in March 2000. Bulgaria has since continued
its efforts to enhance the business environment and improve access to finance. It
has also adopted a new SME law which guarantees better coordination of SME
policies, provides a definition for SMEs (a definition which does not comply
5
Cemrec, M., June, 2004, The EU Impact on the Political Culture of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, Collegium Budapest:
Institute for Advanced Study, Hungary, Euro Journal [electronic version], Retrieved April 5, 2008, from Euro Journal
Website:
http://www.ceeol.com/aspx/getdocument.aspx?logid=5&id=FC2284F5-419C-4B71-BAE0-1C53626A0648
18
with Commission recommendations) and sets up an executive agency within the
Ministry of the Economy (EU, 2006)6
• Taxation
Lowest taxes in Europe; Low operational costs for water supply and
construction works compared to other CEE countries; Free movement of capital;
No restrictions on after-tax repatriation of profits; Free trade opportunities
within a market of over 550 million customers (EU, EFTA and CEFTA
countries, Macedonia, Turkey, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Israel.)
Social/Cultural Aspects
• Class/gender factors
Sofia, 16.01.2008. A representative survey by the MBMD agency, done at

request by the Four Paws foundation, shows that the support for CCR as a
way for dealing with the stray dogs problem is growing
Each year the sociological agency MBMD does a survey for Four Paws
measuring the public attitude towards the different approaches for reducing the
6
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis, February 8, 2006, EU Portal Archives [electronic version], Retrieved April 9,
2008, from EU Website:
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/e06101.htm
19
increasing number of stray dogs. The 2007 survey was carried out between
December 11 and December 18 among 2008 adult citizens of the Republic of
Bulgaria. To the question “Which approach for dealing with the stray dogs
problem you personally support and find fairer”, 45.4 % point castration,
vaccination and the release of stray dogs in the areas they have formerly
inhabited, 42.4 prefer capturing of animals in shelters (isolating stations)
and euthanizing them and 12.2 % have no opinion.
The support for the castration is highest among the people aged 18-29 (52.9 %),
the ones with university degree (54.8 %), those working in offices (58.5 %) and
the inhabitants of smaller cities and towns (49.7%) whereas euthanasia is most
popular among the elderly people (49.7%), those with primary school and
lower degrees of education (44.2 %) and those that live in villages (49.3 %).
Compared to 2005 when such a survey was made for the first time, the support
for CCR has risen with 10 % whereas the proponents of euthanasia have
decreased with 12 %. “The tendency for a growing support for CCR is obvious
and suggests that Bulgarian society is ready to approve it as the most efficient
way to deal with the problem,” says Marina Ivanova of Four Paws. “For us the
voting through of an Animal Welfare Act that will allow for CCR as an approach
for reducing of the number of stray dogs is of utmost importance, as it this will
give us the opportunity to increase the number of projects in Bulgaria. We
already have many requests by municipalities, for which the only obstacle for
adopting a neutering program is the lack of legislation.” (Ganchev, Y., 2008)7
• Cultural values and norms
7
Ganchev, Y., January 18, 2008, Support for castration and releasing of stray dogs grows, Bezdom [electronic
version], News section, Retrieved April 5, from Bezdom website:
http://www.nobodyspet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70&Itemid=31
20
In September 1998, Bulgaria signed the new European Social Charter. It
subsequently ratified it. However, the social dialogue remained fragile,
especially as regards the capacity of employees in the private sector to engage in
collective bargaining. The absence of social dialogue in the public sector
continues to be the subject of regular complaints.
In late 2001 and early 2002 Bulgaria adopted a body of legislation promoting
the social dialogue (EU, 2006)8
Political aspects
• EU Legislation
The collapse of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 having signaled the end of
the Cold War with the “victory” of liberal democracy1 catalyzed the peaceful
completion of the European integration in the absence of territorial threats from
the Iron Curtain under the Soviet yoke. The Copenhagen Criteria2 adopted in
June 1993 EU Summit guided candidate countries of Central and East Europe
along enthusiastic amendments for the carrot3 of EU membership. Their desire
empowered the EU at effectively molding them by laws and values which
entailed synchronizing their domestic legislation with the EU acquis
communuataire (from hereof cited as acquis). Moreover, the EU has assisted
these countries in taking on EU laws, and has provided a range of financial
assistance to improve their infrastructure and economy. The process enabled the
EU to reaffirm itself as a leading actor in international relations to embrace a
higher European identity above all in the course of enlargement. This resulted in
8
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis → European Social Charter, January 4, 2006, EU Portal Archives
[electronic version], Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU Website:
21
further EU influence on the internal affairs of candidate countries requiring the
renovations in the overall structure after having signed Europe Agreements
(Cemrec, M, 2004)9
The EU, furthermore, had remarkable impact on shaping the political culture of
these three candidate countries. The political elite undertook the pioneer mission
adopting
EU inscribed democratic values more than paying lip service for the possible
membership. The EU impact firstly appeared in the pre-accession polity of
generating the reforms to a higher degree than if they were left to these states
individually as well as the causes, process and results of these reforms in these
countries. The EU has brought up supplementary rationale and incentive in
speeding up the reforms by the pre-accession framework as a catalyst to increase
their political salience. This, in turn, deepened the Europeanization of the
political culture in these countries visible in embracing the universal democratic
values induced by European integration and prescribed by the EU
for membership. The EU impact further continued among the institutional
arrangements, policy objectives, conditions, and expectations on the national
institutional legacies. Thus, the international norms developed by the EU started
9
Cemrec, M., June, 2004, The EU Impact on the Political Culture of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, Collegium
Budapest: Institute for Advanced Study, Hungary, Euro Journal [electronic version], Retrieved April 5, 2008,
from Euro Journal Website:
22
to root with the democratic consolidation of these countries in an influential way
(Cemrec, M, 2004)10
• Corruption
As far as the fight against fraud and corruption is concerned, Bulgaria

adopted a national anti-corruption strategy in October 2001. It has also ratified
the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and is stepping up preparations for
full cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on accession. In
May 2003 Bulgaria signed the additional protocol to the Council of Europe
criminal-law Convention on corruption. A Code of Conduct for police officers
was adopted in October 2003 to combat corruption among transport and border
police. In February 2005 the national strategy for combating corruption was
amended to include a number of measures designed to combat high-level
corruption. The deadlines for implementing these measures have, however, been
exceeded. The overall picture regarding the implementation of anti-corruption
measures remains very limited (EU, 2006)11
10
Cemrec, M., June, 2004, The EU Impact on the Political Culture of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, Collegium
Budapest: Institute for Advanced Study, Hungary, Euro Journal [electronic version], Retrieved April 5, 2008,
from Euro Journal Website:
11
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis →Corruption, January 31, 2006, EU Portal Archives [electronic
version], Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU Website:
23
Regarding the political criteria, Bulgaria improved its state administration and
judiciary especially in the fields of asylum, child protection, equal opportunities
and antidiscrimination policy as well as ratification of human rights convention.
However, corruption, the living conditions of children and mentally disabled
placed in institutions, degrading treatment by the police and trafficking in
human beings yet remain problems (Cermec, m., 2004)
Corruption has a long history in Bulgaria. During four decades of communism,

government control of the media kept high-level corruption out of the public
eye. The general belief among the local populace was, “what belonged to
everybody, belonged to nobody,” because all property was state-owned. With
deprivation widespread, people took what they could, when they could.
The communist collapse of 1989-90 then ushered in privatisation. Well-

connected individuals swiped lucrative state assets.
Meanwhile, the economy stagnated, salaries bought less and less, the public
became poorer and poorer. Everyone from doctors to professors to judges began
essentially taxing the public to subsidise measly earnings and the legacy and
mentality of these old ways still exist among ordinary society today (…).The EU
is helping Bulgaria to reshape its political and institutional landscape in line with
the rest of Europe. They have helped Bulgaria to address corruption as well as
new corruption-related challenges. The danger now is the potential abuse in the
disbursement of EU funds (Gomersall., L, 2007)12
12
Gomersall, L., July 2, 2007, Everyday tales of corruption, Sofia Echo Newspaper [electronic version], People
section, Retrieved April 5, 2008, from Sofia Echo website: http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/everyday-tales-of-
corruption/id_23450/catid_30
24
• Ecological/environmental issues
Pre-accession aid
From the year 2000, financial aid will include aid for agriculture and rural
development ( SAPARD ) and a structural instrument ( ISPA ) which will give
priority to transport and environmental measures. The Regulation adopted in
June 1999 for the coordination of Phare, SAPARD and ISPA aid allows the
Commission to carry out ex-post checks on contracts when it deems the partner
country's financial supervision insufficient.
The indicative allocation from the Community for the implementation of the
SAPARD programme in Bulgaria for 2004 is EUR 68.0 million. The allocation
for 2003 was EUR 56.5 million. The main focus of the 2004 SAPARD
programme is to prepare Bulgaria's agriculture for membership of the EU.
Consequently, the remaining financial resources only will be spent on acquis-
related measures.
The ISPA budget allocation for Bulgaria of just over EUR 100 million per year
has been fully committed in each year since 2000 (with only a small shortfall in
2002). The budgetary commitment in 2003 was EUR 112.6 million and the
indicative allocation for 2004 will be around EUR 135.4 million. The ISPA
strategies were reviewed in 2003. In the case of transport infrastructure, the
emphasis is on completing or upgrading the main trans-European road and rail
networks, including crossborder connections. In the environment sector, the
Bulgarian Government has focused on improving water quality via investments
25
in waste water treatment, sewerage systems and water supply. Urban waste
management and air pollution are also priority areas (EU, 2007)13
6.2 Stakeholder Analysis
6.2.1 General Public

- Interest in the organization – the general public interest in HARMONY is
estimated high. Support is inspired by good cause as well as the possible
solution of a great problem.
- Relation of the general public to HARMONY and contribution – relation
in the form of donations, volunteer work and marketing of the
organization.
- Expectations of the general public – solving the problem with stray gods
6.2.2 Other NGO’s and NPO’s working with the same matter
- Interest in our organization – interest is estimated at high level due to
possible cooperation between HARMONY and other NGO’s and NPO’s
working on solving the problem with stray dogs in Bulgaria.
- Relation of other NGO’s and NPO’s to HARMONY and contribution –
relation in the form of cooperation, ideas & information exchange, joined
campaigns & fund raising programs, etc.
- Expectations of similar NGO’s and NPO’s – expectations for cooperation,
support, marketing assistance, popularization of campaigns & fund raising
programs, etc.
13
Partnership for the accession of Bulgaria, January 23, 2007, EU Portal Archives [electronic version],
Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU Website:
26
6.2.3 National Government
- Interest in the organization – interest of National Government in our
organization is estimated at medium to low level. Government tends to
approach the problem in a different manner than most NGO’s and NPO’s
working on the same problem (especially before passing of the new
Animal Protection Law).
- Relation of Government to HARMONY and contribution – there is almost
no relation between the Government and NGO’s such as HARMONY, due
to the fact that both work on different levels and have different
approaches towards solving the problem with the stray gods in Bulgaria.
Contribution in the form of funding might appear in some cases, but very
rarely. Government funding flows to local municipalities on a regular
basis, but not to independent NGO’s and NPO’s.
6.2.4 Municipalities
- Interest in the organization – same as with National Government, interest
local municipalities towards independent NGO’s and NPO’s working on
the current matter, is estimated at low level (due to differences in the ways
of approaching the problem)
- Relation of local municipalities to HARMONY and contribution – there
are some existing relations, but they are at a very basic level. Sometimes
cooperation is possible in the form of joined campaigns and projects.
Contribution in the form of some fund rising or land rising are possible.
6.2.5 European Union
27
- Interest in the organization – interest is estimated at high level, due to the
European Union standards. HARMONY’s goal is a big and important part
of European Union’s Animal Protection Legislation.
- Relation of EU to HARMONY and contribution – HARMONY holds a
good chance of receiving funding from EU programs for Animal
Protection.
- Expectations – by rising funds, EU expects HARMONY to help Bulgaria
meet the European Union standards on Animal Protection and Animal
Rights.
6.2.6 Private interest groups

M-tel
- Interest in the organization – M- tel is the largest mobile operator in

Bulgaria. By now, the company has taken part in many fund-rising charity
programs as part of its marketing strategy. Therefore, interest of M-tel in
HARMONY is estimated at high level.
- Relation of M-tel to Harmony and contribution – two-way relationship, as
M-tel will be using HARMONY as a par of its marketing strategy.
Contribution is in the form of advertising, fund – rising campaigns (sms –
campaigns), and funding programs.
- Expectations – by leading the fund-rising campaign of HARMONY, M-tel
would expect to present itself once more as a responsible company and
will display charity as a part of its social corporate responsibility.
6.3 Surveys:
28
For this part, we use two surveys – one from external source and one that we
have conducted ourselves. The first survey is conducted only amongst Bulgarian
citizens and the second one is conducted amongst international individuals, in
order to provide us with a basis for comparison.
6.3.1 Survey I Summery14

•Survey results categorically confirm the high significance of the street-dogs
problem in Bulgarian society – it is perceived as a serious reason for concern not
only by the majority of the adults aged over 18, but it ranks among the three
most serious troublesome issues in their settlement/neighborhood.
•The attitudes towards street dogs are strongly influenced by the type of
settlement and the level of education – it bothers citizens of the bigger cities and
people with education higher than secondary to a greater extent, than citizens of
the smaller settlements and the people with primary and lower level of
education.
•Despite the expressed difference of opinion, on the whole street dogs appear to
be a complex problem for the majority of the Bulgarians – among the most
serious reasons for the expressed concerns are the threat of spreading infections,
the pollution of streets and the attacks on people.
•The results clearly show that taking efficient measures against the street-dogs is
a pressing necessity. Despite the existing differences in the views concerning the
method of resolving the problem, the most seriously supported measures are
“placing into asylum”, “castration” and “euthanasia”.15
14
In order to view the complete survey, please look at Appendix A
15
The Street Dogs as a Social Problem - http://www.online.bg/vr/surveyeng/dogs/
29
6.3.2 Survey II Summery16
- Survey results confirm that all Bulgarian citizens are familiar with the
problem of the stray dogs in Bulgaria and as to international respondents
– 50 % are somehow familiar and 50 % are not familiar at all.
- As to if they are willing to learn more on the matter, the bigger part of the
respondents (75%) said yes.
- As to which is the most effective way of solving the problem, the bigger
part of the respondents (41,7%) chose the CCR method (catch-castrate-
release). Only 25% of the respondents pointed the building of a
permanent shelter as the best solution. This low percentage is due to the
fact that most of Bulgarian respondents find the idea of building such a
shelter unrealistic, therefore they only count the old, safe CCR method.
- As to who should be responsible for solving the current problem, the
bigger part (50%) of the respondents chose the government and a quarter
of them (25%) chose independent NGO’s.
- As to if they are willing to contribute in any way to solving this problem,
only 11.8% of the respondents said they are not willing to contribute. 50%
of the respondents are willing to contribute with money donation and
29.4% with volunteer work.
6.4 Internal Analysis

By intensive fund-rising campaigns, proper planning and cooperation with other
NGO’s and NPO’s working on the same matter, namely solving the problem
with the rising population of stray dogs in Bulgaria, we are ready to offer a plan
for the building of the first chain of permanent dog & cat shelters throughout
Bulgaria. We are ready to offer not only a technical solution to the problem but
also a humane one! We are the first to say it is possible and we will be the first
16
In order to view the complete survey, please look at Appendix B
30
to do it. We are already familiar with the CCR method and we do understand
why all the NGO’s and NPO’s point at it as the most effective way of coping
with the problem. But looking at the bigger picture is what makes us different
from others. We believe that reducing the number of stray dogs is not the most
urgent problem that needs to be solved. The most important is building, not a
shelter, but a home!
6.5 SWOT analysis
31
Strengths: Weaknesses:
• Non-profit organization (NPO) • Limited budget

• Uniqueness • Limited personnel
• Solving a great problem - Our company has no market presence or reputation
What advantages does your company have? - Limited staff
- we are protecting the animals and therefore - Our cash flow will be unreliable in the early stages
we have most people’s support
- we have an unique solution to the problem
- we are the first to build a permanent dog &
cat shelter in Bulgaria
- we are working for a good cause
What do you do better than anyone else?
- we offer a Home
- we offer better living conditions to stray dogs

& cats
- we offer better health care
- we offer better solution to the problem with
the stray animals
What unique or lowest-cost resources do you have
access to?
- we have volunteer workers
- we have municipalities cooperation
What do people in your market see as your

strengths?
- Uniqueness
- Good cause
Opportunities: Threads:
• International Animal Rights Protection • Corruption

Organizations • Culture
• EU legislation • Stereotyping
Becoming a member of European union results • Negative attitudes
in lots of opportunities: • Slow transposition of EU law into
- firstly- with it comes the EU convention national law
of animal protection and brings
obligations to the country, such as (the
main one) closing all isolators.
- More opportunities for getting a financial
help and support from different
organizations
Opportunities for exporting pets for adoption
• Campaigns
• Volunteers
• What can we do to maximize our strengths?
32
In order to get the general public’s support we need to have a strong
marketing campaign an a strong launching strategy. We need to do our best to
persuade the people that our aim is feasible and gather as much support from
them as possible (mainly in the form of volunteer work, sponsoring and word
of mouth method). Furthermore, we need to persuade the general public as
well as the potential stakeholders in the uniqueness of our service. We need
to make them see the bigger picture and prove that the problem with the stray
dogs in Bulgaria might be on the right way of being technically solved, but
not yet solved in the humane sense of the word!
Moreover we need a good marketing plan. Our launching campaign should
clearly pass the message and we should clearly outline our main goal,
strategy, short-term and long-term goals, etc. We should do this in a way that
is clear and easy for the general public to understand and therefore to gain as
much support as possible. In our strategy, we should not forget to outline the
benefits not only for the stay animals but for the general public as well. We
need to clearly make them see what their benefits would be and how by
supporting our cause they are going to contribute to a better live for
themselves and the society as well. Once we manage this goal, we will find it
easier to attract volunteer workers and donations.
Furthermore, we need to gain as much support and cooperation from the
local municipalities as possible.
- What must we build or develop to overcome weaknesses?

In order to overcome limited budget and uncertain cash-flows, we need as
proper marketing plan as possible. Advertising and cooperating with the
media is one of the ways to do that. Furthermore, we need to launch such a
fund-raising campaigns, of which we will be sure of the outcome. We need to
contact and stay in touch with as many organizations working on the same
33
matter as possible. Contacts and networking with organizations and
individuals from within or outside the country is extremely essential.
Moreover, in the beginning, due to the fact that HARMONY still has no
market presence or reputation, it will be difficult to attract as many
volunteers. Therefore, we need to think of a strategic plan of attracting
volunteers by compensating them in a certain way. (e.g. free shopping
vouchers, discounts at certain shops, publicity, etc.)
- What do we need to do to make use of the opportunities?

We need to contact and stay in touch with the local and international animal
protection organizations. Opportunities such as joined projects and
campaigns are of an extreme importance. We also need to look at the
opportunity of sending dogs for adoption within the European Union.
Furthermore, we need to keep a close look at the Animal Protection
Legislation in other European Union countries and use them as a guiding
example. Another thing we can use as example from countries within EU is
how they are coping with the matter and in particular, how the shelters in
these countries are functioning (personnel, volunteers, funding, procedures,
caudexes, etc.)
Moreover, we need to have a closer look at the funding opportunities from
within the EU (both EU funds and private funding).
- What can we do to minimize or neutralize threads?

Culture, stereotyping and negative attitudes of Bulgarian society towards the
problem with the stray dogs can be minimized by awareness rising
campaigns and educative programs. Some negative attitudes of the general
public are mainly caused by bad personal experience or negative media
publications. Therefore, it will be only beneficial to the general public if all
34
the stray dogs would live separately in permanent shelters. No dogs roaming
around the streets will mean end of the problem with the negative attitudes.
Furthermore, corruption is one of the most difficult threads to cope with. The
EU is still expecting Bulgaria to lower its corruption levels, so we’d count on
the fact the EU is constantly monitoring corruption in Bulgaria as well as
Bulgaria is doing its best to meet European Union standards as concerning
corruption.
7. Defining the strategic framework
7.1 HARMONY’s main objective:
Within five years, in each larger municipality in Bulgaria, there will be an

existing and functioning permanent dog (and cat) shelter (at least 5 for the
five larger cities in Bulgaria). 100 % of the stray dogs and cats will be living
in these shelters, being taken proper care of and being offered for adoption in
Bulgaria and abroad.
7.2 HARMONY’s immediate objectives:
- Within three months there will be an effective promotion plan, aimed at

popularizing our goal and attracting volunteers.
- Within six months there will be an existing building plan for the first
shelter of the chain.
- Within four months HARMONY will acquire the first piece of land from
the municipality of Rousse, on which will start the building of the first
shelter.
35
- Within six months, there will be 20 specially trained, supervising
volunteers, which will take further care of the volunteering program.
- Within one year, HARMONY would have conducted at least three
promotional, educative and fund - raising programs.
7.3 Choosing strategies to reach this goal:
- Choosing the five larger municipalities as a starting point (Sofia,

Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas and Rousse)
- Acquiring land outside the cities (not more than 5km)
- Establishing the approximate number of stray dogs in each
municipality and building the primary most necessary living
conditions before collecting the dogs (and cats)
- Hiring qualified personnel (if possible, on volunteering basis)
- Launching educational campaigns for potential volunteers
- Launching the marketing strategy and fund – raising campaigns
8. Marketing Action Plan
8.1 Fundraising Plan
8.1.1 Collecting personal contributions
• Using direct mail – HARMONY will design a direct mail package. This
package will contain a letter asking for support, a brochure containing
pictures and the most essential information and a postage-paid return
envelope.
36
• We intend to place a collection boxes in the bigger supermarkets right after
our marketing campaign, once people are aware of what HARMONY stands
for and what our goal is.
8.1.2 Acquiring grants –
• After doing a in-depth research on the possible grants offered for such
causes similar to our organization, HARMONY is going to pursue grants
from all foundations, companies and government agencies offering one.
8.1.3 Earned income
• Gift shop products – HARMONY is going to design and market its own gift
shop products (such as mugs, cards, pens, toys) as well as its own collection of
dog accessories (collars, clothes, toys, etc.) exclusively with the brand and logo
of HARMONY.
• Each HARMONY shelter will offer the unique and first of its kind service in
Bulgaria, namely ‘pet short stay hotel’. Every pet owner will be able to leave its
pet (dog or cat) for a period up to four weeks in the pet hotel (part of the shelter)
under the 24 hour care of specialists. The stay will include feeding, walking (at
least twice a day), playing and any other special care that a particular pet will
require. Payment will be estimated at around 5 to 10 levs per day (about € 2.5- €
5) as compared to € 10 for the same service in The Netherlands for example.
Traveling for work, holiday, etc. – the unique pet hotel will be the perfect
solution for busy pet owners.
8.1.4 Special events – HARMONY will organize special fundraising events.
37
8.2 Corporate collaboration
For this part, HARMONY is going to involve into licensing agreements as well
as sponsorship agreements with different private sector companies interested in
cooperating with us.
8.3 Licensing agreements

For example, a licensing agreement with the Bulgarian largest mobile operator
M-tel. HARMOY will give a license to M-tel for using Harmony’s name and
logo in selling their products and services. On the other hand, M-tel will be able
to conduct a promotion campaign, stating that a part of the profit they make will
directly go to HARMONY. A possible slogan for the eventual campaign can be:
“Talk for the dogs!”
8.4 Sponsorship agreements

HARMONY can get easier in sponsorship agreements than in licensing
agreements. The number of these agreements is unlimited. Finding as many
sponsors as possible (smaller or larger private owned companies) and offering
them publicity in return is a good and short way of fundraising.
9. Promotion Plan
An effective promotional plan is very important for a newly started NPO such as
HARMONY. It is extremely essential for us to:
- Be visible and create a positive image

- Immediately associate the name HARMONY with its main goal
- Increase the number of volunteers
- Increase the number of potential sponsors
38
- Increase communication with stakeholders
9. 1 Promotion Plan – General Public
Objective:
To make HARMONY’s name popular amongst the general public in such a way
that they will immediately associate our name with positive image as well as
with our primary goal and values.
Key message:
HARMONY is an independent, non-profit organization. Our aim is to build the
first chain of permanent dog (and cat) shelters throughout Bulgaria and let not a
single stray dog remain homeless, hungry, mistreated and used for horrifying
purposes. Together, we can make a difference! We need you in this!
Way of communication:
- posters
- pamphlets, information leaflets
- radio reports and interviews
- own website, banners
9.2 Promotion Plan – other NGO’s and NPO’s working on the same matter
Objective:
To persuade them that HARMONY is not just another fake NPO with rather
different interest from what it states. To make them believe in us and gain theit
support and cooperation.
39
Key message:
Together, we can make a difference! We are stronger when we work together!
- networking
- direct phone contact
- newsletters/mass media
- own website
9.3 Promotion Plan – National Government and Municipalities
Objective:
To gain as much financial support and other resources from Government and
Municipalities as possible.
Key message:
We are not against you methods of solving the problem with the stray dogs in
Bulgaria. We work independently but we still seek your help and support.
Together, we can make a difference!
- networking
- newsletters/mass media
- own website
40
9.4 Promotion Plan – European Union
Objective:
To gain popularity and support for our project and reach as many funding
programs from the EU as possible.
Key message:
We are the first ones to dare starting this project. We want to help Bulgaria
become a deserving member of the European Union. By building permanent dog
shelters, Bulgaria will be one step further to calling itself equal with the rest of
the European Union member states.
- direct mail
- newsletter/special mail package
- own website
9.5 Promotion Plan – Private companies
Objective:
To gain popularity amongst private owned large and small companies. This way,
HARMONY will raise its chances of getting sponsorship agreements and
licensing agreements.
Key message:
Your help is as essential for us, as our help is essential for you company. Doing
each other’s favor is the right way to success for both sides. Let’s work together
for a good cause!
41
- Direct phone contact
- Direct mail contact/special mail package
- Networking
- Own website
10. Organizational Plan
Stuff members:
- Head of the foundation/executive director
- Program stuff – at least three specialists will be needed to design and
carry Harmony’s activities, programs, campaigns, projects, special events
and fundraising events, etc.
- Financial stuff – in the beginning only one financial stuff
- Communication stuff – in the beginning at least three communication
stuff to carry out external communication activities of Harmony, as well
as fundraising communication.
- Administrative stuff – at the beginning at least two administrative stuff
- Specialized stuff17
• At least two veterinarians per shelter
• At least two cleaning stuff per shelter
• At least five specialized stuff (depending on the number of dogs),
whose main responsibilities will be preparing & dividing of food,
walking the dogs, playing with the dogs, and any other special
needs dogs will require.
17
Specialized stuff can be trained volunteers (veterinarians can also work part-time on volunteering basis)
42
Harmony intends to have approximately twenty supervising volunteers, who will
function part-time. These volunteers will go through a special training. It is
essential that they love taking care of dogs and they do that with passion. In this
training they will learn special abilities needed in the particular function, they
will learn more about dogs, how to react in emergency cases, how to cope with
special dogs, etc. After passing a basic knowledge exam, they will be allowed to
become supervising volunteers. This means that the will be in charge of the
future potential volunteers. The will have a license to chose, train and further
teach them and they will be in charge of further supervising them.
12.Executive Summery
The problem with the stray dogs in Bulgaria is not new. There are thousands of
them roaming around the streets of big cities and small villages. It has been
already one year and a half since Bulgaria joined the European Union and the
only positive step that the country has taken in approaching this problem is the
passing of the new Animal Protection Law in January, 2008. Government seems
to be ignoring a problem, which is a serious one and h needs an urgent solution
from technical and moral point of view.
Harmony is an independent, non-profit organization. Our aim is to build the first

chain of permanent dog (and cat) shelters throughout Bulgaria and let not a
single stray dog remain homeless, hungry, mistreated and used for horrifying
purposes. We call all the dog lovers and animal protection organizations,
together with us to create a strong unity against corruption, political interests
and money making.
By intensive fund-rising campaigns, proper planning and cooperation with other
NGO’s and NPO’s working on the same matter, namely solving the problem
43
with the rising population of stray dogs in Bulgaria, we are ready to offer a plan
for the building of the first chain of permanent dog & cat shelters throughout
Bulgaria. We are ready to offer not only a technical solution to the problem but
also a humane one! We are the first to say it is possible and we will be the first
to do it. We are already familiar with the CCR method and we do understand
why all the NGO’s and NPO’s point at it as the most effective way of coping
with the problem. But looking at the bigger picture is what makes us different
from others. We believe that reducing the number of stray dogs is not the most
urgent problem that needs to be solved. The most important is building, not a
shelter, but a home!
In our fundraising plan we include personal contributions, acquired grants and

earned income (from HARMONY brand collection and HARMONY Pet Hotel).
Furthermore, we intend to get into licensing and sponsorship agreements with
companies from the private sector which are interested in cooperation with us.
For our promotion plan, we intend to use different tools for the different
stakeholders. Some of the main ones are: newsletter/mass media, direct mail,
direct phone contact, networking, visual advertising, website, etc.
44
References:
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis →Corruption, January 31, 2006,

EU Portal Archives [electronic version], Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU
Website:
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis → European Social Charter,

January 4, 2006, EU Portal Archives [electronic version], Retrieved April 9,
2008, from EU Website:
Bulgaria- adoption of the community acquis, February 8, 2006, EU Portal

Archives [electronic version], Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU Website:
Cemrec, M., June, 2004, The EU Impact on the Political Culture of Bulgaria,
Romania and Turkey, Collegium Budapest: Institute for Advanced Study,
Hungary, Euro Journal [electronic version], Retrieved April 5, 2008, from Euro
Journal Website:
http://www.ceeol.com/aspx/getdocument.aspx?logid=5&id=FC2284F5-419C-
4B71-BAE0-1C53626A0648
Dimitrova, K., January 14, 2005, Bad Dogs, Bezdom [electronic version], News
section, Retrieved April 3, 2008, from Bezdom website:
http://www.nobodyspet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36
&Itemid=31
45
Ganchev, Y., January 18, 2008, Support for castration and releasing of stray
dogs grows, Bezdom [electronic version], News section, Retrieved April 5, from
Bezdom website:
&Itemid=31
Gomersall, L., July 2, 2007, Everyday tales of corruption, Sofia Echo

Newspaper [electronic version], People section, Retrieved April 5, 2008, from
Sofia Echo website: http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/everyday-tales-of-
corruption/id_23450/catid_30
Grigorova, D., April 2, 2008, Life in Bulgaria, Radio Bulgaria [electronic

version],Lifestyle section, Retrieved April 3, 2008, from Radio Bulgaria
website:
http://www.bnr.bg/RadioBulgaria/Emission_English/Theme_Lifestyle/Material/s
trdog.htm
Partnership for the accession of Bulgaria, January 23, 2007, EU Portal Archives
[electronic version], Retrieved April 9, 2008, from EU Website:
Serban-Temisan, M., March 20, 2006, Man, beware of dog, or dog beware of
men? Bezdom [electronic version], News section, Retrieved April 3, 2008, from
Bezdom website:
&Itemid=31
46
Appendix A
THE STREET DOGS AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM
Contents
1. SURVEY SAMPLE
2. SURVEY FINDINGS
2.1. THE PROBLEM
2.2. ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE PROBLEM
2.3. FACTORS DETERMINING THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROBLEM
2.4. NECESSITY FOR SOLVING THE STREET-DOGS PROBLEM
2.5. THE SOLUTION OF THE STREET-DOGS PROBLEM
3. SUMMERY
1. SURVEY SAMPLE
Population studied: Population in Bulgaria aged over 18 years

Sample design: Two-stage cluster random sample, representative for the
studied population
Sample size: N = 784
(Planned N = 800; 100 clusters - 8 respondents in each
cluster)
Survey method: Face-to-face structured interview
47
Fieldwork: November, 2001
48
2. SURVEY FINDINGS
2.1. THE PROBLEM
Bulgarian society has been facing the problem of street-dogs for a long time since a consensus
solution has not been found. The long lasting debates and the lack of an effective commonly
acceptable solution has lead to the polarization of opinions and has blocked most of the
initiatives undertaken. The existing deadlock made street-dogs one of the most serious
problems of most of the settlements/ neighborhoods in the country. It is one of the first three
issues, which are of greatest concern for the Bulgarian public (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Relative significance of the problems in the settlement/neighborhood (%)
Base N = 784 (all respondents)
49
The significance of the problem is also confirmed by the general assessment of its gravity.
Almost every second Bulgarian citizen considers the street dogs as a “very big problem”
(Figure 2).
Figure 2. Assessments of the level of significance of the street-dogs problem (%)
It should also be noted, that more than 50% of the adults in the country think that dogs are
“too many” or “many” in the neighborhood (51,4%) as well as in the settlement (57,3%).
2.2. ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE PROBLEM
The demographic cross-section of the respondents shows a significant relationship between the attitude towards the street-dogs, on the one
hand, and the level of education and the size/type of settlement, on the other.
•The people with higher level of education identify to a greater extent the street-dogs as a serious problem. While among the respondents
with secondary and higher level of education between ½ and 2/3 of the respondents consider the street-dogs a “big problem” for their
settlement, among the people with basic and lower level of education that assessment is relatively rare.
•By types of settlements the most concerned are the citizens of Sofia and those living in the bigger settlements, and least concerned - the
inhabitants of villages/village areas.
50
Table 1. Assessments of the significance of the street-dogs problem by sex, education and
type of settlement(%)
Yes, a very big Yes, a small No, they are DK/NA

problem problem not a problem
Gender
Male 43,2 28,8 25,6 2,4
Female 51,6 24,8 19,8 3,8
Highest level of completed education
Lower than
21,2 18,2 36,4 24,2
primary
Primary 32,8 22,4 41,8 3,0
Basic 42,3 27,0 26,5 4,2
Secondary 51,9 27,2 19,2 1,6
Semi-higher 71,4 28,6 0,0 0,0
Higher 61,8 27,9 10,3 0,0
DK/NA 0,0 50,0 50,0 0,0
Settlement
Sofia 70,1 21,4 6,8 1,7
Big town 57,7 28,8 12,1 1,4
Small town 50,9 30,3 15,4 3,4
Village/village
29,2 24,5 41,2 5,1
area
2.3. FACTORS DETERMINING THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROBLEM
Nearly 20% of the respondent note that they or their relatives were attacked by street dogs in
the past year (Table 2). Over 2/3 of the attacked declare, that it happened once, and
approximately 1/5 – twice. Most of the victims appear to be in Sofia (32,5%), and the smallest
number - in the villages (7,6%). Approximately 2/3 of all victims received medical aid –
vaccine against tetanus and/or rabies.
Table 2. Citizens (or their relatives), attacked by street-dogs in the past year (2001)
Share of the sample % Number of citizens
Attacked 17,7 11360001819 [1]20
Not attacked 80,5

18[1]
The estimate for the number of people attacked by street dogs is obtained on the basis of the information
from the last census (March, 2001). The total number of the population aged over 18 is 6 417 869. The number
of people that corresponds to 1% of the sample is 64179. Back
19
20
51
DK/NA 1,8
Despite the significant number of people attacked by street-dogs, the direct physical threat is
neither the only, nor the most serious reason for concerns. Bulgarians perceive street-dogs
predominantly as a health-threat and public hygiene problem deteriorating everyday-life
conditions in their neighborhood/settlement. Though street-dogs are considered a traffic
hazard to a relatively smaller extent, a significant number of people are bothered by the fact
(Figure 3).
Figure 3. Evaluations of the factors, which turn the street-dogs into a social problem
(%)
Base N =784 (All respondents)
2.4. NECESSITY FOR SOLVING THE STREET-DOGS PROBLEM
Most Bulgarians (58,3%) firmly support the view that effective measures against the street-
dogs have to be taken. The higher level of education contributes to the increase of the number
52
of people who firmly support this view (Table 3). Citizens of Sofia and people with higher
education are the most categorical, while the least convinced are those with primary and lower
level of education.
53
Table 3. Attitudes towards the necessity to resolve the street-dogs problem (by education
and settlement)(%)
It is It is not DK/NA
necessary necessary 21 [2]
Highest level of completed education

Lower than
57,6 12,1 30,3
primary
Primary 68,7 17,9 13,4
Basic 81,4 13,5 5,1
Secondary 93,1 5,2 1,6
Semi-higher 94,3 0,0 5,7
Higher 97,1 2,9 0,0
Settlement
Sofia 97,4 1,7 0,9
Big town 93,0 3,7 3,3
Small town 89,7 8,0 2,3
Village/village
75,1 15,2 9,7
area
2.5. THE SOLUTION OF THE STREET-DOGS PROBLEM
The most popular measure for resolving the street-dogs problem is placing them into an
asylum, while the least supported measures are deparasitizing and immunization. At the same
time almost 30% think that the street dogs should be euthanized (Figure 4). This latter
measure gets greater support in the smaller settlements, as in the villages/village areas it is the
most largely supported way of resolving the problem.(Table 4)
21[2]
The category “It is not necessary” is obtained through unifying “It is not necessary at all” and “ According
to me the street dogs are not a problem, that should be solved”. Back
54
Figure 4. Support of the measures, necessary for solving the problem with the street-
dogs (%)22[3]
Table 4. Level of support for measures to resolve the street-dogs problem by type of
settlement (%)
Castratio Putting Euthanasi Deparasitizin They are DK/NA

n into a g and not a
asylum immunization problem
Settlement
Sofia 52,1 54,7 15,4 38,5 1,7 3,4
Big town 34,4 50,7 27,4 32,1 3,3 5,1
Small town 22,3 43,4 30,9 23,4 6,3 7,4
Village/village
19,9 26,4 31,4 16,6 13,4 16,2
area
22[3]
The total percentage is more than one hundred, since the respondents have given more than one answer. That
is also valid for the data in Table 4.Back
55
According to the greater part of the Bulgarian population, the municipality should be the main
agent to deal with the problem. Those who think that resolving the street dogs problem should
be a duty of the citizens represent the smallest group of people.
Figure 5. Responsibility of the different institutions/ groups of people for solving the
problem with the street dogs (%)
Appendix B
56
Harmony’s Online Survey
HARMONY conducted an online survey amongst Bulgarian and international

respondents, to find out how familiar they are with the problem with the stray
dogs in Bulgaria is, what their attitudes are and to what extend are they willing
to contribute to solving this problem.
Survey was conducted in April, 2008 amongst 50 respondents.
The respondents’ nationalities:

- Bulgarian – 40%
- French – 10%
- Dutch – 10%
- Polish – 10%
- Indonesian – 10%
- Chinese – 10%
- US American – 10%
A. 18 – 20 years old
B. 21 – 25 years old
57
C. 26 – 30 years old
D. 31 – 40 years old
E. 41 – 50 years old
F. 51 and older
A. Yes, a dog
B. Yes, a cat
C. Yes, other
D. No, I don’t own a pet
A. Yes
B. No
58
C. I don’t know
A. Yes, I am very familiar with this problem

B. Yes, I am somehow familiar with this problem
C. No, I am not familiar with this problem
A. Yes, I would like to learn more

B. No, I don’t have time
C. No, I don’t care
59
A. Yes
B. No
C. I don’t know
D. What is euthanasia?
A. Yes
B. No
C. May be
D. I don’t know
60
A. Euthanasia
B. CCR method (catch-castrate-release)
C. Building permanent shelters
D. I don’t know
A. Government
B. Local municipalities
C. Independent NGO’s
D. General public
E. I don’t know
61
A. Money
B. Time
C. Volunteer work
D. I am not willing to contribute
62
Appendix C
63
Aug
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Period 2
2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009
009
10.00 10.00 10.0

Donatio 2000. 2000. 3000. 6000. 3000. 4000. 6000. 8000. 8000.
0. 0. 00.
ns 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00
10.00 20.00 10.00 20.0
2000. 2000. 5000.
Grants 1.500 1.500 00.00 00.00 0. 0. 0. 00.00 00.
00 00 00
00 00 00 00
Fundrai
10.00 3.00
sing 1.500 2.000 2.000 5.000 5.000 1.000 1.000 3.000 5.000 5.000
0 0
income
5.00
Sales 500.00 1.000 1.000 2.000 2.000 2.500 3.500 3.500 4.000 4.000 4.000
0
Pet 500.0 350.0 350.0 350.0 400.0 500.0 1.000. 1.500 1.50
250.00 350.00 350.00
Hotel 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 .00 0.00
Adoptio
1.000. 1.000 1.500 1.500 1.000 1.000. 1.500. 1.500. 500.0 1.00
ns 500.00 500.00
00 .00 .00 .00 .00 00 00 00 0 0.00
income
Total 4
21. 16. 13. 11. 23. 37. 31. 22.
cash 6.250 7.350 9.350 0.5
500 850 350 850 900 000 500 000
receipt 00
Expendi
ture -
Cash
Paid
Out
2.70
Salaries 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700 2.700
0
Bank
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
charges
Electrici 500.0 500.0 500.0 500.0 300.0 200.0 100.0 100.0 100.
500.00 500.00 500.00
ty 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00
Insuranc 25.0
25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00
e 0
Local 100.0 100.0 200.0 300.0 300.0 400.0 400.0 500.0 500.
50.00 50.00 50.00
travel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00
Oversea 500.0 500.

0.00 0.00 500.00 1.000 1.000 00.00 2.000 00.00 2.000 00.00
s travel 0 00
Meeting
100.0 100.0 100.0 150.0 100.0 100.0 150.
expense 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00
0 0 0 0 0 0 00
s
Miscella 300.
00
neous 200.0 200.0 200.0 300.0 200.0 300.0 100.0 200.0
100.00 100.00 100.00
expense 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
s
64
50.0
Postage 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00
0
Publicit
Cash flow Forecast
Appendix D
Desk Research
Research questions:
Main question:
What substitute the current problem with the stray dogs in Bulgaria and what is
the Bulgarian way of coping with it? Can this problem ever be solved?
Sub-questions:
• What is the Bulgarian legislation concerning stay dogs?

• What is an ‘isolator’ and what is the situation with isolators in Bulgaria
(conditions, functioning, procedures, owners, etc.)?
65
• What measures have been taken until now in order to solve the problem
with the Stray dogs in Bulgaria? Are these measures effective and if not,
why?
• What are the public attitudes towards the problem with the stay dogs?
• Which are the functioning organizations currently working on solving the
problem?
What is the Bulgarian legislation concerning stay dogs?
ANIMAL PROTECTION LAW
Effective as of January 31, 2008

Published SG No.13 from February 8, 2008
Chapter One
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Art. 1. (1) This Law settles the protection of animals and the mechanisms of its
implementation.
(2) The protection of animals is defined as preserving their life, health and good
condition, protecting them from inhumane, cruel and extremely cruel treatment,
ensuring appropriate care and life conditions, consistent with their physiological
and behavioural characteristics.
66
Art. 2. The authorities of the executive and local power together with the non-
government organizations shall prepare and apply educational programs for
animal protection and introduction to animal breeding, reproducing, training and
trading in compliance with the regulations of this Law.
Art. 3. The professional secondary and higher education schools, which prepare
veterinary specialists, agronomist/animal breeders, biologists, ecologists and
others, shall also carry out training for animal protection pursuant to the decree
requirements of Art.19, para 5 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
Art. 4. The professional organisation of the veterinary physicians in Bulgaria,

the animal protection organizations and the animal breeders associations shall
popularise the measures for animal protection.
Art. 5. The National Veterinary Service shall assist the execution of the training
pursuant to Art. 3.
Art. 6. (1) Manifestations of inhumane treatment to animals shall be prohibited.

(2) As inhumane treatment to animals shall be regarded inflicting pain or
suffering to animals or provoking strong fear.
Art. 7. (1) Manifestations of cruelty to animals shall be prohibited.

(2) As cruelty shall be regarded:
1. Every action or inaction which causes continuous or repeated suffering to
animals, or permanent health damage or stress;
2. Actions pursuant to Art. 151 of the Law on Veterinary Activity;
3. Violation of the principle of good practice in animal breeding when it leads to
harmful consequences for the animals’ health;
4. Enhancing animal aggression through selection or training in aggression
towards other animals and people;
5. Use of strong and electrical collars, goads, chemically irritating or harmful
67
substances, or technical instruments, assisting ways and devices or appliances,
which seek to influence the animal behaviour by causing strong fear and pain;
6. Organizing practices and competitions performed on limb-damaging surfaces;
7. Use of animals for film pictures, advertising and exhibitions where they are
being inflicted pain, suffering, damage or stress;
8. Forcing animals to make efforts that cause them pain, suffering, damage or
stress;
9. Exposing animals to temperature and other adverse atmospheric influences,
want of oxygen or limiting their free movement that cause them pain, suffering,
damage or stress;
10. Abandonment of animals;
11. Use of live animals as animal food, except for the ones whose biology
requires it;
12. Depriving animals of repose;
13. Subjecting to physical pressure sick, hurt or stressed animals;
14. Releasing animals that have been bred by people, in case they have not been
prepared in advance to survive in natural surroundings;
15. Elastic band-assisted amputation or castration;
16. Full or partial amputation of parts of the body or removal of animal organs;
17. Shoeing ungulates with harmful shoes;
18. Breeding, using and mortifying dogs and cats in order to obtain fur and
meat, to produce food, as well as importing and exporting of dog and cat fur and
meat;
19. Ear and tail docking for the purpose of changing the animals’ appearance;
20. Removal of nails, teeth and vocal cords;
21. Exhibition in shops, catering establishments and other places of
entertainment and restaurants of any of the species of mammals, primates, birds
and reptiles, and dangerous show animals;
22. Running propaganda, popularizing or instigating violence toward animals in
68
some way or other, directly or indirectly;
23. Sexual abuse of animals.
(3) Actions under para 2, items 16, 19 and 20 shall be allowed when:
1. Their implementation is necessary based on veterinary prescription or the
procedure is imperative to save the animal life, health and good condition;
2. The procedure is intended to serve scientific and research purposes in
compliance with the Law on Veterinary Activity;
3. The sterilisation or castration is necessary to limit the reproduction of
animals;
4. They have been done in accordance with the Law on Hunting and Game
Preservation;
5. The procedure is necessary for:
а) prevention of considerable animal injuring;
b) protection of other animals.
Art. 8. Actions shall not be regarded as cruel toward animals when committed
to:
1. Limit and liquidate infectious animal diseases;
2. Professionally fight harmful rodents;
3. Go hunting and fishing, done in accordance with the Law on Hunting and
Game Preservation and the Law on Fisheries and Aqua-cultures;
4. Apply training methods that target to obtain and/or develop hunting,
protective, tracing or guiding qualities in dogs;
5. Conduct medical experiments and medicine testing;
6. Place “hobbles” to shepherd or stray dogs for the purpose of limiting their
ability to chase game.
Art. 9. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply, the Interior Minister and
the Defence Minister shall determine with a decree the rules for training dogs.
69
Art. 10. (1) Manifestations of especial cruelty to animals shall be prohibited.
(2) As especial cruelty shall be regarded:
1. Deliberate killing of animals;
2. Deliberate inflicting of heavy and permanent damage to animals;
3. Organising fights with animals;
4. Shooting ownerless, domesticated or captivity animals, and wild animals.
(3) The deed under para 2, item 4 shall not be regarded as especial cruelty when
done under the conditions of ultimate necessity or in accordance with the
regulations of the Law on Hunting and Game Preservation and the Law on the
Biodiversity.
(4) The deed under para 2, item 1 shall not be regarded as especial cruelty When
done in accordance with the regulations of Art. 117, para 1, items 10, 11 and 12,
Art. 159, para 1 and 3, Art. 160, para 1 and para 2, items 1 and 2, and Art. 179,
para 3 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
Chapter Two
ANIMAL BREEDING AND CARE
Art. 11. (1) It shall not be permitted to sell animals to persons less than 18 years
of age without parent/guardian approval.
(2) When the animal owner cannot take care of it, s/he shall hand it over to a
shelter, rescue centre, another animal breeding facility or a new owner who shall
breed the animal in compliance with its physiological and behavioural
characteristics.
Art. 12. Animal owners shall provide the necessary conditions for their breeding
pursuant to Art. 149, para 1 and Art. 150 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
Art. 13. (1) Animals which do not live in groups in their natural surroundings
shall be bred alone.
70
(2) Animals living in groups or in herds in their natural surroundings shall not be
bred by themselves (alone).
(3) When breeding animals there shall be provided contact between them
depending on their physiological and behavioural characteristics.
Art. 14. (1) Owners of animal breeding facilities shall:

1. Provide a sufficient number of keepers with the necessary qualification and
experience to take care of the animals in view of their number, species, age and
medical condition;
2. Be responsible for observing the animal protection rules;
3. Organise initial and subsequent personnel training.
(2) The keepers under para 1, item 1 shall not be allowed to Cause stress, pain,
suffering and injuries to the animals placed in their care.
Art. 15. The animal owner shall take measures to provide veterinary help when
symptoms of sickness, injury, exhaustion or complicated delivery have been
established. The sick or injured animals shall be isolated and accommodated in
appropriate premises with dry and comfortable bedding.
Art. 16. (1) A person who comes upon a sick or injured animal shall be obligated
to notify the animal shelter, the relevant local power authorities, the Regional
Veterinary Service, the District Police Station or local offices of the State
Forestry Agency.
(2) The authorities under para 1 shall cooperate in order to provide urgent
veterinary help and accommodation for the animal in shelter or another facility
under para 6, items 1-3.
(3) The facility where the animal has been accommodated under para 1, shall
immediately take measures for its treatment.
(4) Trough the mass media or another appropriate way, the manager of the
shelter shall give information of the accommodated animals there for the
71
purpose of tracking out the owner or finding a new owner.
(5) when there is a marked animal accommodated in the shelter, the manager
shall track out and notify the owner or a person under Art. 47, para 3.
(6) In case the owner of the animal is not found in the course of 14 days from its
accommodation in the shelter, it can be handed over to:
1. a zoo;
2. a rescue centre;
3. a farm;
4. animal protection organisation.
Art. 17. (1) The movement of animals cannot be limited in a way that causes
pain, suffering or strong fear.
(2) In the premises intended for animal breeding, the owner shall provide place
corresponding to their physiological and behavioural characteristics, as well as
space for movement and rest.
Art. 18. Animals, bred in the open, shall be provided with free movement, daily
walk and protection from adverse atmospheric conditions, predators and harmful
physical and chemical influences.
Art. 19. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply shall determine with
decrees, the conditions for animal breeding, consistent with their physiological
and behavioural characteristics.
Art. 20. Owners of animals shall provide constant control over their medical
condition for the purpose of avoiding inflicting unnecessary suffering to the
animals.
Chapter Three
SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR THE BREEDING AND USE OF ANIMALS
72
Art. 21. It shall not be allowed to import, acquire, sell, own and breed
prosimians and monkeys from the Order Primates, as well as wild cats, with the
exception of zoos and rescue centres.
Art. 22. (1) The owner of wild animals, bred in home conditions, with the
exception of the ones described under Art. 21, shall register them in the regional
inspection of environment and waters within 14 days of their obtaining.
(2) It shall be prohibited to acquire and breed protected animal species under
Art. 37 and 47 of the Law on the Biodiversity. Bred species shall be divested in
favour of the state when lacking special permit from the Ministry of
Environment and Waters.
(3) The Minister of Environment and Waters shall determine with decree, the
conditions for wild animal breeding outside of their natural surroundings,
consistent with their physiological and behavioural characteristics.
Art. 23. (1) The owner of circus, theatre or variety show, where animals are
used, shall register the animals in line with Art. 137 of the Law on Veterinary
Activity.
(2) When performing the registration under para 1, the head of the relevant
regional veterinary service shall issue passports to the animals in line with Art. 7
of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005 about the establishment of
the veterinary and sanitary requirements for the movement of circus animals
across member states.
(3) In case of change in the number and species of the animals in the facility
under para 1, the owner shall notify the relevant regional veterinary service
Art. 24. The veterinary and sanitary requirements for the movement of circus
animals shall be settled by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005
about the establishment of the veterinary and sanitary requirements for the
movement of circus animals across member states.
73
Art. 25. (1) Circus owners shall notify in writing the head of the relevant
regional veterinary service, by indicating the place and time of sojourn, the
species and number of participating animals, and attach the program.
(2) The notification under para 1, shall be filed at least 7 days prior to the date of
arriving on the territory of the relevant regional veterinary service.
(3) In case of adverse exceptional situation, the head of the regional veterinary
service shall notify in writing the persons under para 1 about the inadmission of
the circus on the relevant territory.
Art. 26. The conditions and minimal requirements for animal breeding and
participation in circuses, variety shows and other entertainment establishments,
as well as the necessary professional skills of the animal care takers, shall be
settled by a joint decree of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply and the
Minister of Environment and Waters.
Art. 27. (1) It shall be prohibited to use wild mammals, prosimians and monkeys
from the Order Primates in circuses, variety shows and other entertainment
establishments.
(2) The prohibition under para 1, shall not include species from the Order
Cetacea (whales), Family Delphinidae (dolphins) - Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) and Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which are bred and used
in shows in dolphinariums, on condition that the specimen are marked, at least
third generation, bred indoors, not bred by themselves and have been issued a
permit by the Minister of Environment and Waters pursuant to the Law on the
Biodiversity.
Art. 28. (1) The participation of animals in competitions, exhibitions,

advertisements and film pictures shall be allowed after the regional veterinary
service, on whose territory the happening is organised, have been notified.
(2) In the cases described under para 1, the head of the regional veterinary
74
service shall take actions pursuant to Art. 134 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
(3) When wild animals are being used for film pictures, the organiser shall
ensure the presence of a consultant-ethologist from a list, approved by the
Minister of Environment and Waters.
Art. 29. Pet shops owners shall provide:

1. veterinary services to animals;
2. employees with knowledge and experience in breeding the respective animal
species;
3. conditions for breeding of the animals until they have been sold, in
accordance with the requirements of this law;
4. Information materials related to the breeding of animals and their humane
treatment.
Art. 30. (1) Pet shop owner or employee can be a person who has completed a
course on protection and humane treatment of animals.
(2) The employees shall give the clients information and tips on the way to
breed animals, the necessary cares, compulsory vaccinations and registrations.
Art. 31. (1) In order to observe the prohibitions under Art. 21 in the pet shops
shall be bred and sold only:
1. healthy animals which have undergone the necessary veterinary prophylaxis;
2. animals having a document proving their origin and way of obtaining;
3. Dogs and cats with a veterinary passport that have been disinfested and
vaccinated; dogs shall be marked with a microchip;
4. wild animals, which have been marked according to specimen species, where
the marking shall be placed in way that does no harm to their medical condition.
(2) The owner of a pet shop, where wild animals are for sale, shall send to the
regional inspection of environment and waters data with the name and address
of the person who has bought the animal.
75
Art. 32. (1) When transporting animals, the owner or the person transporting
them shall be obligated to:
1. use vehicles that guarantee the observance of the requirements for animal
protection, the safety of the other traffic participants and of the animals;
2. provide food, water and rest to the animals according to their species.
(2) Delay of vehicles transporting animals shall not be permitted, unless it is
necessary for the animal good condition.
(3) In the cases of delay during animal transportation, the competent authorities
shall take all necessary measures to reduce to a minimum the animal suffering.
Chapter Four
COMPANION ANIMALS
Art. 33. The owners of companion animals shall breed them by observing the
requirements for animal protection of this Law and of the Law on Veterinary
Activity
Art. 34. (1) Dogs and cats cannot be bred in housing units in a residential flat
building, on an area less than:
1. For dogs:
а) of small breed up to 10 kg - 6 sq m;
b) of medium breed up to 25 kg – minimum 8 sq m;
c) of large breed over 25 kg – minimum 10 sq m;
2. For cats – minimum 6 sq m.
(2) The area shall be calculated as common with the people living in the
residential unit.
(3) Dogs bred in the open shall be provided with shelter or kennel to protect
them from adverse atmospheric conditions.
76
(4) Dogs bred mostly tied up shall be provided with 5 metres of wire (rope) for
free movement, as well as daily walk.
Art. 35. (1) The owner of companion animal shall take measures to prevent the
animal's leaving the place of breeding, its entering someone else’s property or
public places.
(2) The owner shall be obligated to avoid any demonstration of ungrounded
aggression of the dog exhibited at public places and in situations endangering
the life and health of people and animals.
(3) Dog owners shall be obligated to avoid violating the peace and hygienic
prerequisites of the members of the residential flat building.
(4) Exceptions under para 1, shall be made for watchdogs of herds, hunting
dogs, trace dogs, mountain rescue dogs and guides of the disabled by order
determined by the National Veterinary Service.
(5) Dog owners who breed them with the purpose of reproduction shall register
pursuant to Art. 137 of the Law on Veterinary Activity and shall pay a fee in the
municipality.
(6) The fee under para 5 shall not be paid by stock-breeders, members of
cynology clubs, members of the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology
or other Bulgarian and international cynology federations, which perform
breeding activities of purebred dogs.
Art. 36. (1) Оwners of companion animals shall ensure their sterilization, unless
in case of reproduction, they are capable of breeding the newborn animals or
give them to new owners.
(2) Owners of castrated dogs shall not pay the fee under Art. 35, para 5 and the
fee under Art. 175, para 1 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
Art. 37. (1) The dog registration shall be implemented in line with Art. 174 of
the Law on Veterinary Activity.
77
(2) In the database shall be entered:
1. Name of the country of origin of the dog;
2. Name, sex, colour and breed;
3. Date and place (address) of birth of the dog;
4. Address, name of the owner;
5. Information about the veterinary doctor, who has inserted the microchip;
6. Date of the chip or tattoo insertion;
7. Past veterinary manipulations;
8. Castration of the dog.
(3) Data under para 2 shall be entered by the veterinary doctor, who has inserted
the chip or tattoo.
(4) Within 7 days from a change of address, ownership or death of the dog, the
owner shall notify the relevant regional veterinary service.
(5) In case the chip or tattoo has been inserted by a veterinary doctor, who has
no access to the database, s/he shall fill in the data on paper and file them with
the regional veterinary service on whose territory the doctor has his/her practice.
Art. 38. The National Veterinary Service shall create and support a national
electronic database with the registered dogs.
Art. 39. There shall be no fee payment under Art. 175, para 1 of the Law on
Veterinary Activity for a dog marked with a chip for the first year of its
registration.
Chapter Five
OWNERLESS ANIMALS
Art. 40. (1) Municipal councils shall adopt programs for mastering the
population of ownerless dogs and stipulate the means for their implementation.
(2) Municipal mayors shall organise the programs’ implementation under para 1
78
and file a report of their implementation with the director general of the National
Veterinary Service every year.
(3) The Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply shall annually file for approval
with the cabinet a report of the programs’ implementation under para 1.
(4) The measures for mastering the population of the ownerless dogs shall be
implemented in registered mobile and fixed clinics by the municipalities or
animal protection organisations.
(5) Animal protection organisations, registered pursuant to the Law for the Non-
Profit Corporate Bodies, shall take part in the preparation and can take part in
the implementation of the programs under para 1.
Art. 41. (1) Ownerless animals shall be accommodated by the organs and
organizations under Art. 40, para 2 and 4 in shelters registered under Art. 137,
para 1 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
(2) The local power authorities shall build shelters for the ownerless animals.
(3) The mayors of towns and villages shall be held responsible for the activity of
the shelters under para 2.
(4) The shelters for the ownerless animals shall be managed by the
municipalities and/or the animal protection organizations, registered pursuant to
the Law for the Non-Profit Corporate Bodies.
(5) Animal protection organizations can create own shelters for ownerless
animals.
(6) Each shelter shall develop and apply a system to inform the citizens about
the animals, which are offered for breeding, including in an Internet page and
publications in the media.
Art. 42. (1) The capture of ownerless animals shall be allowed in a way and
under conditions, which guarantee their health and with minimum suffering, by
persons with a specific qualification that have been instructed by a veterinary
doctor.
79
(2) The transportation to the shelter of the captured dogs under para 1 shall be
provided with especially equipped and marked vehicles with good ventilation.
(3) The members of the teams capturing ownerless animals shall have
successfully completed a course on protection and humane treatment of animals.
(4) The teams capturing ownerless animals shall be guided and controlled by a
veterinary doctor.
(5) A collar with an identification number shall be attached to the dog when it is
captured.
Art. 43. (1) The mayors and animal protection organisations, which manage
shelters shall:
1. seal and terminate a contract with the shelter’s manager, who has to be a
university graduate;
2. provide a veterinarian for the animals’ veterinary attendance;
3. provide the necessary number and type of personnel;
4. provide free access to the shelter to citizens;
5. create conditions for public control;
6. provide a way for connection with the shelter.
(2) Persons under para 1, items 1 - 3 shall pass a training course for animal
protection.
Art. 44. (1) The manager of the animal shelter shall:

1. Take measures at the receipt of signals concerning abandoned animals;
2. be in charge of the animal accommodation and care in the shelter;
3. enforce a program for finding new owners for the accommodated in the
shelter animals;
4. keep a diary where to enter data concerning the accommodated animals.
(2) The diary under para 1, item 4 shall contain:
1. identification number of the collar;
2. date and place of the capture;
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3. individual marks on the animal;
4. date and reasons for leaving the shelter;
5. name and address of the owner.
(3) In all occasions of transporting animals, the manager of the shelter or an
authorised by him/her person shall draw up a transport document, which shall
point out the date and hour of the car's departure, the area of visit and data about
the number and the identity of the collected and returned animals.
Art. 45. The veterinary doctor under Art. 43, para 1, item 2 shall:
1. supervise the medical condition of the animals and the observation of the
animal protection requirements;
2. implement the program of the National Veterinary Service of taking samples
for laboratory analysis of infectious diseases on the animals and send them in a
laboratory;
3. record the results from the laboratory analysis and all veterinary
manipulations and treatment in an ambulatory diary;
4. supervise the conduct of disinfection, disinsection and pest control;
5. conduct healing and prophylactic activities, castration and marking of the
animals;
6. register dogs pursuant to Art. 174 of the Law on Veterinary Activity when
acquired by an owner;
7. draw up the conclusive report when an animal dies, which shall designate the
time, reason and/or the diagnosis of the death;
8. when appointing euthanasia, draw up individual report, which shall contain
the ground for its appointment; the record shall be signed by the veterinarian, the
manager of the shelter and a third party.
Art. 46. (1) Dogs in the shelter shall be accommodated in compliance with the
animal protection requirements.
(2) On entrance into the shelter, the animal shall undergo examination for
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ownership identification and clinical check up, and if necessary, laboratory
analyses, the results of which shall be entered in the ambulatory diary.
(3) Sick and injured animals shall receive veterinary help.
(4) During their stay, the animals shall be provided with a sufficient amount of
food, water, space for movement and rest.
Art. 47. (1) Dogs accommodated in the shelter shall be castrated, disinfested and
vaccinated against rabies.
(2) The authorities under para 1 shall be given to persons, who desire to breed
them as companions and register under Art. 174 of the Law on Veterinary
Activity.
(3) The dogs, for which no persons under para 2 turn up, shall be marked and
accommodated in temporary shelters, designated by the respective municipal
council, or shall be returned to the places, where they have been taken from. The
dogs shall be under the supervision and care of the municipalities, the animal
protection organisations or other persons who have signed declaration to follow
the requirements of Art. 49 and 50.
(4) The temporary shelters under para 3, shall be located outside the borders of
the relevant town or village, shall be fenced off and kept in good hygienic state,
according to the requirements determined by the National Veterinary Service
and this Law.
(5) The work organisation and the conditions for breeding dogs in temporary
shelters under para 4, shall be determined by decree of the relevant municipality
council and shall be implemented under the constant monitoring of the animal
protection organisations.
(6) The dogs’ marking under para 3 shall comprise a tattooed identification
number on the one ear or an electronic chip and a V-shaped docking of the other
ear or another visible ear marking.
(7) The manager of the shelter shall inscribe the dogs in a register and issue a
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veterinary passport.
(8) The manager of the shelter shall send the data from the register under para 7
to the mayor of the respective municipality.
Art. 48. It shall not be allowed the return of the dogs under Art. 47, para 3 in the
grounds of child care centres, schools, hospitals and in the vicinity of children
playgrounds, highways and airports.
Art. 49. The persons responsible for the animal supervision and care, the animal
protection organizations or the municipalities shall disinfest every three months
and re-vaccinate against rabies the returned to their original places animals
under Art. 47, para 3.
Art. 50. The organizations and persons under Art. 49 shall be obligated to:
1. annually certify a dog’s passport about the completed disinfestment and
vaccinations in the respective municipal administration;
2. take measures to prevent the aggressive behaviour of the dogs to people or
animals.
Art. 51. Euthanasia of the accommodated in the shelter dogs shall be allowed
under the conditions determined by Art. 179, para 3, items 1, 2 and 4 of the Law
on Veterinary Activity, after a diagnosis has been drawn following clinical check
up and analyses.
Art. 52. The carcasses of the animals in the shelter shall be preserves pursuant to
the requirements of Art. 272 of the Law on Veterinary Activity.
Art. 53. (1) When a registered companion dog is accommodated in the shelter,
the manager of the shelter shall look for and notify in writing the animal’s owner
of the dog’s location.
(2) If within seven days from the receipt of the written notification under para 1,
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the dog’s owner does not appear to take it or has not been found, the dog shall be
submitted to a new owner in line with Art. 47, para 2, or shall be accommodated
in a shelter of animal protection organizations.
(3) Companion dogs under para 1 shall be returned to their owner after
producing veterinary passport and paying the costs for the stay.
Art. 54. Every municipal administration or shelter shall maintain a register of the
dogs under Art. 47, para 3, which contains:
1. date and place of the animal’s capture;
2. date and place of the animal’s return;
3. dates of disinfestment, castration and vaccination against rabies;
4. person or organization responsible for the supervision.
Art. 55. After stopping the reproduction of the ownerless dogs in the town or the
village, they shall be gradually accommodated in shelters under programs for
finding a new owner or for life-long breeding.
Art. 56. (1) In the cases of increased ownerless cat population the regulations of
Art. 40 - 47, Art. 51, 52, and Art. 54.
(2) The capture of ownerless cats with anaesthetics shall not be allowed.
Chapter Six
IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTROL
Section I
Public Control
Art. 57. Public control of the law’s administration shall be exercised by

authorised representatives of corporate bodies, registered pursuant to the Law
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for the Non-Profit Corporate Bodies, whose statute envisages animal protection
activity.
Art. 58. When exercising public control, the persons under Art. 57 shall have the
right to:
1. receive from the competent authorities full information concerning the animal
protection requirement observance;
2. participate in the decision taking preparation of the competent authorities on
issues related to animal protection, as well as to cooperate for their
implementation;
3. approach the competent authorities with a request for conducting check-ups
concerning the animal protection requirement observance, as well as to receive
information on the check-up outcome;
4. receive full cooperation by the Interior Ministry authorities and the other
authorities of the executive power in order to prevent animal cruelty;
5. participate in the conduct of check-ups under Art. 170 of the Law on
Veterinary Activity and in the check-ups and activities of the authorities,
exercising state control over the execution of this Law.
Section II
Control
Art. 59. (1) Control under this Law shall be exercised by the Minister of
Agriculture and Food Supply through the National Veterinary Service.
(2) The control on the implementation of the measures for the wild animal
protection under Chapter Three shall be exercised by the Minister of
Environment and Waters and the chairperson of the State Forestry Agency.
(3) The local power authorities shall exercise control over:
1. abandonment of animals on the municipal territory;
2. Identification and registration of dogs;
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3. observance of the requirements for animal protection in the shelters on the
territory of the relevant municipality;
4. dogs and places under Art. 47, para 3.
(4) The control shall be exercised via:
1. periodic check-ups;
2. check-ups effectuated by received petitions, complaints and signals for
violation of the animal protection rules, filed by state authorities, physical and
corporate bodies.
Art. 60. (1) The control authorities shall have the right:
1. to find out the identity of the animals’ owner;
2. to access all establishments and the whole documentation, necessary for the
conducting the check-up;
3. to enter, after granted access on the part of the owner, real estates and
transport vehicles where animals are bred or, it is assumed, that animals are bred
and treated.
(2) Animal owners shall be obligated to grant access to the facilities in order to
give an animal urgent help when it is threatened by death or heavy health
damage.
Art. 61. (1) The authorities of the executive and local power, public
organisations, physical and corporate bodies shall be obligated to provide the
necessary cooperation to the National Veterinary Service officials at the
execution of their control functions.
(2) When evidence for the violation of this Law is established, the authorities
and persons under para 1 shall immediately:
1. take measures within the range of their authority for putting an end to the
violation;
2. notify the authorities of the National Veterinary Service or the Ministry of
Environment and Waters.
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Chapter Seven
ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY PROVISIONS COERCIVE
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES
Section I
Administrative Penalty Provision
Art. 62. (1) A person who demonstrates especial cruelty towards an animal in the
meaning of Art. 10, shall be fined with BGN500 to BGN1,000, except if the act
does not constitute a crime.
(2) When the deed under para 1 is committed towards one’s own animal, it shall
be divested in favour of the state.
(3) When the violation under para 1 is committed by a veterinary doctor or
veterinary technician, by an official body or person performing activity or
profession, related to breeding or providing cares for animals, the imposed fine
shall amount between BGN1,000 and BGN1,500, while the corporate body or
sole trader shall suffer penalty payment amounting to between BGN1,500 and
BGN2,000.
(4) When the violation under para 1 or 3 is committed a second time, the fine
shall be from BGN1,000 to BGN2,000, while the penalty payment shall be from
BGN2,000 to BGN3,000.
Art. 63. (1) A person who violates the regulations of Chapter Three shall be
fined with BGN1,000 to BGN2,000, and at a second violation from BGN2,000
to BGN3,000, except if the act does not constitute a crime.
(2) When the violation under para is committed by a veterinary doctor or
veterinary technician, by an official body or person performing activity or
profession, related to breeding or providing cares for animals, a corporate body
or sole trader, the fine, and respectively the penalty payment shall be from
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BGN2,000 to BGN3,000, and at a second violation from BGN3,000 to
BGN5,000.
(3) In the cases described under para 1 and 2 the animal shall be divested in
favour of the state.
Art. 64. (1) A person who violates Art. 21, shall be fined or suffer penalty
payment from BGN2,000 to BGN3,000.
(2) In the cases described under para 1 the animal is divested in favour of the
state, while it is being disposed of following the provisions of Art. 129, para 3 of
the Law on the Biodiversity.
Art. 65. A veterinarian who has failed to observe the requirements under Art. 37,
para 3 and 5 shall be fined with BGN20 to BGN40, and at a second violation
with a fine from BGN40 to BGN60.
Art. 66. A person who allows demonstration of inhumane attitude, cruelty or

especial cruelty towards animals by a person under his/her guidance shall be
fined with BGN50 to BGN250, and at a second violation with a fine from
BGN250 to BGN500.
Art. 67. Animal owner who fails to observe the regulation of Art. 60, para 2,
shall be fined with BGN500 to BGN1,000.
Art. 68. (1) For violating this Law the persons shall be fined with BGN100 to
BGN250, and at a second violation from BGN250 to BGN500, except if the act
does not constitute a crime.
(2) When the violation is committed by a veterinarian or technician, by an
official body or person performing activity or profession, related to breeding or
providing cares for animals, the imposed fine shall amount between BGN250
and BGN500, while a corporate body or sole trader shall suffer penalty payment
amounting to between BGN500 and BGN700, and at a second violation the fine
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shall be between BGN500 and BGN700, and the penalty payment shall be
between BGN700 and BGN1,000.
Art. 69. If, following the lapse of time under § 5, there are found ownerless dogs
on the territory of the respective municipality, the mayor shall be fined with
BGN1,000 to BGN2,000, and at a second violation the fine shall be doubled.
Art. 70. (1) The violations of this Law shall be laid down in statements, drawn
up by veterinary doctors from the National Veterinary Service, the respective
officials of the Ministry of Environment and Waters, and of the State Forestry
Agency, or the ecology inspectors from the municipality, or by an authorized by
the mayor person, in accordance with their competence.
(2) The violations under Art. 69 shall be established by a statement drawn up by
the employees of the respective regional veterinary service.
(3) The penalty decrees shall be issued by the directors of the Regional
Veterinary Services, the Regional Inspection of Environment and Waters or the
mayor of the respective municipality.
Art. 71. The establishment of violations, drawing up of statements, the issue,

appeal and execution of the penalty decrees shall be implemented following the
procedures of the Law on Administrative Violations and Sanctions.
Section II
Coercive Administrative Measures
Art. 72. (1) When a violation has been established, the control authorities shall:
1. issue compulsory orders for removing the violation in a determined by them
period;
2. stop the exploitation of the establishment in a determined by them period, but
no longer than 6 months, in case the violation is not removed in the period
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described under item 1.
3. put a proposal to the director of the Regional Veterinary Service, on whose
territory the establishment is situated, concerning the obliteration of the
establishment registration and annulment of the certificate issued under Art. 138,
para 1, item 2 of the Law on Veterinary Activity;
(2) After removing the violation in time, the control authority shall, at the
request of the owner, cancel the order for stopping the exploitation of the
establishment under para 1, item 2.
(3) The measure under para 1, item 3 shall be imposed only in the cases when
the violations have not been removed in the period under para 1, item 2, as well
as in case of proved crude and systematic violations of the requirements.
Art. 73. The veterinary doctors from the National Veterinary Service under Art.
70, para 1 shall have the right to prohibit:
1. loading and transportation of animals when the established requirements have
not been met;
2. or discontinue experiments with animals, which have been committed in
violation of the acting enactments;
3. butchering animals in butcher houses when it has been established that the
stunning is ineffective;
4. and stop the implementation of activities, which are not allowed or have been
committed in violation of the enactments;
Art. 74. In case of animal transport and dispatches lacking the necessary
documents, or in case of violation of the animal protection requirements, the
competent state authorities shall detain the animals or the dispatch along with
the transport vehicles, and shall immediately notify the authorities of the
National Veterinary Service.
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Art. 75. The cases described under Art. 62, para 3, Art. 63, para 2 and Art. 68,
para 2 can enact also the temporarily suspending of the activity of the animal
breeding establishment, pet shop, veterinary clinic or dispensary.
Art. 76. (1) In case of violation of Art. 40 the control authorities shall issue an
order to reduce the number of the animals in a two months' period.
(2) In case the deadline is not met under para 1, a fine of BGN150 shall be
imposed for each animal above the allowed number and an additional period of
time, not longer than a month, shall be given in order to remove the violation.
(3) In case the deadline is not met under para 2, the perpetrator shall be fined
with BGN500 and the animals which are above the allowed number shall be
divested in favour of the state.
(4) When an animal is divested in favour of the state, it shall be accommodated
in one of the specifically designated for that purpose places or shall be released
in compliance with the regulations of the Law on Veterinary Activity and this
Law.
(5) Specifically designated places under para 4 shall be:
1. zoos and rescue centres – for wild animals;
2. private and municipal shelters – for companion animals;
3. farms, determined with an order by the director general of National Veterinary
Service - for farm animals.
Art. 77. Subject to divestment in favour of the state shall also be the objects with
which the violation was committed.
Art. 78. (1) The coercive administrative measures under this section shall be
administered via the issue of a good ordinance by the heads of control services
under this Law in accordance with their competence.
(2) The ordinance under para 1 can be appealed in line with the Administrative
Procedure Code.
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Additional Provisions
§ 1. For the purposes of this law:
1. “Birth Control” shall mean the cessation of the ownerless dog population and
registration of domestic dogs.
2. “Pain, suffering and permanent damage" shall mean the causation of health
(physical, neurotic brain and social) disorders to the animals. This shall include
the causation of disease, trauma and physiological and neurotic brain discomfort
at the moment of the animal’s using or subsequently (for instance after injecting
carcinogens), or with permanent harmful consequences for its health.
3. “Harmful shoe” shall mean shoe whose shape and size are not consistent with
the animal’s hoof and is not being replaced in order to observe the regularity of
its nailing.
4. “Wild mammals” shall mean all species of class (Mammalia) with the
exception of the specimens from the home-bred types of mammals that have
grown wild.
5. “Wild cats” shall mean representatives of the Family Felidae (cats) with the
exception of domestic cats and their breeds and varieties.
6. "Wild animal" shall mean every live vertebrate, different from the human
creature, including the free living with the exception of domestic breeds of dogs,
cats, horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, geese, ducks, hens, turkeys, etc.
7. "Good practice of animal breeding" shall mean the system of general hygienic
and technological rules for protecting the health of the animals and guaranteeing
their welfare by setting optimal conditions for breeding and feeding,
corresponding to their physiological and behavioural needs, and limiting to an
acceptable minimum the risk of inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering. The
rules shall concern the designing, condition and maintenance of the buildings,
premises, machines, apparatuses, basic and supplementary technical facilities,
disease prophylaxis, personnel training, keeping documentation, appropriate
feeding, providing veterinary help in due time.
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8. “Animals used as animal food” shall mean fish, domestic fowl aged no more
than four weeks, as well as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea-pigs and rabbits, which
are bred or killed for the purpose of being used as animal food;
9. “Companion animals” shall mean animals, which are bred domestically or
due to an interest in the animal, as far as it concerns domestic or domesticated
animals from the Orders Carnivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha (rabbits),
Psittaciformes (parrots), Passeriformes (finches), Columbiformes (doves and
pigeons) and animals from the Class Pisces;
10. “Castration” shall mean removal of the ovary and the uterus of female
animals and of the testicles of the male.
11. "Mobile clinic" shall mean a specialised motor vehicle for off-site veterinary
activities, which is furnished and supplied with the necessary for veterinary
manipulations apparatuses and consumables.
12. „Population Control” shall be theoretically substantiated regulation of the
ownerless animal population, which allows for establishing control over their
number and targets clearing the streets from them.
13. "Behavioural characteristics" shall be the characteristics related to
manifestation of the distinctive for any animal species behaviour towards its
kind, the environment and other animal species.
14. "Animal shelter" shall mean municipal or private establishment which
disposes of suitable conditions to provide the ownerless animals with veterinary
services, cares, shelter and finding a new owner.
15. „With the purpose of reproduction” shall mean reproduction of the animal at
least once a year.
16. “Farm animals” shall be animals, bred with the purpose of producing raw
materials and animal-derived food or serving other agricultural or forestry
purposes, or bred for work.
17. "Rescue centre" shall be a place, determined by the Minister of Environment
and Waters, where cares for the confiscated animals are provided.
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18. “Strong collar” shall mean a collar with metal links and protection for the
larynx with aslant inwardly-bent rounded metal pins with a diameter of 3.5 mm
minimum.
19. "Systematic violation" shall mean the perpetration of two or more violations
in the course of a year.
20. “A third party” shall be a representative of a non-governmental animal
protection organisation, and in the municipalities where there is no such
organisation registered – a person from the shelter who is responsible for the
protection and humane treatment of the animals.
Transitional and Final Provisions
§ 2. Animals under Art. 27, acquired and used before this Law enters into force,
can be bred and used until 1 January 2015.
§ 3. The national electronic database under Art. 38 shall be created within a
year’s time from this Law's entering into force.
§ 4. Within three months from this Law’s entering into force, the municipal
councils shall prepare and adopt the programs under Art. 40, para 1 and shall
determine the places for temporary shelters under Art. 47, para 4.
§ 5. Within three years from this Law’s entering into force, the municipal
councils and municipal mayors shall provide for the accommodation of
ownerless dogs in the shelters under Art. 41, para 1
§ 6. The rules for the implementation of this Law shall be issued within 6
months of its effective date.
§ 7. The cabinet following a motion by the Minister of Agriculture and Food
Supply and the Finance Minister can stipulate means for the implementation of
the programs under Art. 40, para 1.
§ 8. In the Law on Veterinary Activity (Published, SG No. 87/2005; amended,
SG No. 30, 31, 55 and 88 of 2006, SG No. 51 and 84 of 2007 ) in Art. 152 shall
be made the following amendments and supplements:
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1. The text prevailing hitherto shall become para 1.
2. A new para 2 shall be introduced:
“(2) Experiments with animals shall be carried out for the purpose of:
1. the development and production of safe medicinal products for the humane
and veterinary medicine, as well as food and food supplements for people and
animals;
2. diagnostics of diseases and testing of new methods for treating diseases;
3. studying, regulating or changing the physiological functions of people,
animals and plants;
4. training in professional secondary and higher education schools;
5. environment protection.”
§ 9. Article 35, item 4 and Art. 70 of the Law on Veterinary Activity from 1999
(Published, SG No. 42/1999; amended, SG No. 83/2003, repealed; SG No.
87/2005; amended, SG No. 30/2006) shall be repealed.
§ 10. In the Plant Protection Law (Published, SG No. 91/1997; amended, SG
No. 90/1999; SG No. 96/2001; SG No. 18/2004; SG No. 26, 30, 31 and
96/2006) shall be made the following amendments and supplements.
1. In Art. 15d, para 1 shall be introduced a new item 4a:
"4а. The evaluation pursuant to item 2, as well as the evaluation and the
summary pursuant to item 4 shall be produced in Bulgarian language".
2. In Art. 15l, para 5:
а) in item 1 after the words “risk evaluation” shall be added “produced in
Bulgarian language”;
b) in item 2 after the word “product” shall be added “including produced”, and
after the word “language” the preposition “with” shall be obliterated.
3. In Art. 23b:
а) in para 1 item 2 shall be changed to:
"2. within two years – in the presence of more than two penalty decrees issued
in the course of a year by the director general of the National Service for Plant
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Protection;";
b) a new para 3 shall be introduced:
"(3) The appealing of the ordinance under para 1 shall not stop its
implementation.”
4. In Art. 24f, para 1 shall be introduced a new item 9:
"9. Registration number of the product in the meaning of Art. 24a, para 2."
5. In Art. 39, para 1:
а) in item 7 before the word “uses” shall be added “offers or”;
b) new items 8 and 9 shall be introduced:
"8. violates the regulations of the decree under Art. 23d;
9. offers fertilisers designated as “EC fertiliser”, in violation of the regulations
of the decree under Art. 24c, para 2."
6. In Art. 40, para 1 after the number "9" shall be added "24f".
7. In Art. 44, para 1 everywhere the words “necessary licence” shall be replaced
with “necessary permit”.
8. In § 1 of the Additional provisions item 51 shall be repealed.
§ 11. The implementation of this Law shall be assigned to the Minister of
Agriculture and Food Supply.
§ 12. This Law enters into force as of January 31, 2008.
-------------------------
This Law has been adopted by the 40th National Assembly on January 24, 2008
and has been sealed with the official seal of the National Assembly.
Brussels/Sofia. 24 January 2008: Today the Bulgarian Parliament voted in

the second Reading for its first Animal Welfare Law. Bulgaria was the last
EU country to vote an Animal Welfare Law but now it is among those with
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highest animal welfare level. Among the most important provisions are the
ban on organizing dog fights, the use of wild mammals and primates in
circuses and the adoption of humane methods for reducing the number of
stray dogs.
“With this modern and indeed European Animal Welfare Law Bulgaria as one of
the youngest members in the EU is now on the highest animal welfare level of
all 27 member states” said Dr. Marlene Wartenberg, Director of the VIER
PFOTEN European Policy Office in Brussels. “Responsibility and respect for
animals as ‘sentient beings’, as it is the definition in the European Treaty, is
reflected through the entire law. Although we were hoping the law to be voted in
the way it was proposed and are not content to some of the amendments, the
most important signal is to stop killing stray dogs.” (Four Paws, 2008)
Before the new Animal Protection Law was passed, there was the Bill on
veterinary activities. According to the old legislation, stray dogs were to be
subject to euthanasia. The practice was as follows:
- Randomly capturing stray dogs
- Keeping them in regional isolators for 14 days
- Euthanizing the dogs
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What is an ‘isolator’ and what is the situation with
isolators in Bulgaria (conditions, functioning,
procedures, owners, etc.)?
Isolator in PLEVEN
PUBLIC COMPLAINT By Eco-Community Association – Pleven

The isolator for stray dogs and cats, which was established in the town of Pleven
a couple of years ago, is known to function in full violation of the regulations set
through the Veterinary And Medical Practice Act.
The isolator is situated in a remote location on the outskirts of Pleven and is
actually a former pheasant farm, property of the local Hunting And Fishing
Association. You can access the facility either by taxi or by means of your own
car, as there is no public transportation to that specific place.The dog pens, the
guard's booth and the premises where the animals are being killed, are built on a
high hilltop, which is virtually inaccessible on rainy and snowy days.
Annually the town councillors allot a certain amount of money from the
municipal budget, which is meant for the maintenance of the dog isolation unit.
According to the information we have the 2007 sum is equal to 70 000 BGN.
Since the establishment of the Eco-Community Association in 2003, and even

long before that, we have been sending letters and initiating meetings with the
mayor of Pleven, Mr. Zelenogorski, and the Head of the Ecology Department, to
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inform them of the violations that are committed in the isolator, but we've never
received any understanding. Although we have the support and assurance of a
well equipped veterinary clinic in town, that they will provide neutering for
stray dogs at symbolic prices in order to decrease their population, the
Municipality of Pleven has displayed no interest at all.
Right now the situation at the dog isolator is as follows:The stray animals are
often captured at day time in the presence of elderly people and children. They
are dragged and dropped on top of one another into a cage that is mounted on an
old UAZ van and then taken to the isolation unit. According to the information
we have, the animals are kept there for 40 to 60 days. Meanwhile they are not
given any food or water, they are starved to death and generally die in agony. In
some cases the larger dogs devour the smaller ones.The isolator is guarded by
unemployed or already retired men in return of a small amount of money to add
to their pensions. Those men have told us many horrific things about the general
state and condirions in the facility but we do not want to endanger them as they
may be affected both financially and physically.
Even though we have tried many times to inform the Prosecutor's Office and the
District Veterinary Medical Office, none of our attempts has turned out
successful so far. Experience shows that what we need is unexpected check-ups
performed by supervisors from outside the town of Pleven, so that the security
officers in the isolator are neither informed of what's coming in advance nor
have time to cover up all traces of culpable negligence and non-observance of
laws.
In short the violations committed in the dog isolator can be grouped as
follows:- Limited access to the isolation unit because of its remoteness from the
town- Impossibility for frequent control over the activities held in the
facility- Cruelty, displayed by the employees in the process of capturing and
transportation of the stray dogs- Cruel treatment of the dogs in the isolation unit
– the animals are not provided with food and water, which results in
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cannibalism- During their stay in the isolation ward the dogs receive no
treatment for parasites- The Municipality of Pleven displays no desire to invest
in the establishment of a municipal isolation facility for stray dogs, that will
correspond to the requirements for special treatment of stray animals
- The local Hunting And Fishing Association demands from us to pay excessive
fees and taxes for buying off captured animals. The sums vary between 27 and
101 BGN, depending on the number of days a particular animal has spent in the
isolation unit, regardless of the fact that this same animal has received no proper
treatment at all.
Having in mind the total amount for maintenance of the facility and support of
its inhabitants and comparing it to the violations we just described, there is
absolutely no doubt that the means passed in the budget and deducted from the
taxes we pay are spent on everything else but the things they are truly meant
for. (Eco-Community Association, 2007)
Isolator in VIDIN
Undisturbed by the municipal authorities, the local dog isolator has witnessed a
countless number of animal cruelty incidents. Vidin's animal isolator is located
on the outskirts of the town, in immediate proximity to the Stroitel Complex, by
the side of the road, which once led to the now closed fair grounds in the Reduta
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Str. The isolator is no more than 50 m away from a residential building. It is
managed by the Eco Titan Ltd. Company, which is property of Vasil Iliev
Ivanov, member of the Lawyers Association with headquarters in the capital city
of Sofia. The isolator is entirely financed by the municipality of Vidin, through
means collected from the tax payers living in Vidin.
Two years ago the dog isolator in Vidin

was managed by the Eco Titan – Vidin
Ltd. Company. Later the site was
closed through prosecutor's order.
Through his Titan – Sever Company
Vasil Ivanov also holds the garbage
control business in Vidin. The Titan –
Sever and Eco Titan companies are recognized as main sponsors of the pre-
election campaign of the present mayor of Vidin – Ivan Tsenov. All latest events
that are somehow related to the coming 2007 local elections are also financed by
the two companies mentioned above.
The dog isolator was registered on 11 August 2005 as a stock-breeding facility.
Stray dogs that are captured off the streets and have been unclaimed for get
euthanized here approximately two weeks after the date of their arrival.
Officially and formally the isolator has its own regulations, which are approved
by the District Veterinary Medical Office of Vidin. The citizens who have filed
complaints against the violations committed here are being denied access to
the isolator on a more frequent basis now. Such a word of command was
personally issued by Zheko Baichev – General Executive of the National
Veterinary Medical Office immediately after the last examination of the shelter.
One of the women who had filed a complaint was not allowed into the isolator
and another one was only granted access to the dog pens but was not given
permission to take a look at the documentation.
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The isolator has at its disposal a total of 10 dog pens, only four of which enjoy
direct sunlight. The rest of the pens are located under a shed. Generally, all
captured dogs are stuffed into two of the pens, which are exposed to direct
sunlight and suffer all atmospheric influences. The dogs accommodated in those
pens have to sit and sleep on a cement floor. Large and small, sick and healthy,
all are gathered together. The other pens have been transformed into a depot for
building materials. The administrative section of the shelter is quite luxurious –
equipped with all modern insulation. At the same time the dogs locked in those
pens die of hunger and misery. There is only one keeper who looks after the
animals. According to the regulations the animals should be fed twice a day – in
the morning and in the afternoon. All check-ups implemented by the
corresponding authorities prove that there is plenty of dog food in the freezers of
the facility. Reality shows otherwise. Only the newly brought dogs are in normal
condition. All other dogs look like living skeletons.
The necessary daily ration does not reach the animals. It is scientifically proven
that the constant malnutrition and starvation of an animal for the period of 2
weeks results in the loss of muscle mass. Because of the inhumane treatment of
the captured animals the old dog shelter was closed by prosecutor's order 2 years
ago. The motives for this were that the
dogs have been sprayed with water and
then electrocuted. Rumor has it that the
dogs have also been killed with
shovels. The squeals and howls of the
animals were audible all over the town.
The adoption of stray animals is an
exception for the town of Vidin. Usually it is their own animals that people take
from the isolator. Otherwise the access to the premises of the isolator is highly
restricted due to the fact that it has been registered as a “stock-breeding” facility,
which is actually used for the killing of stray dogs and nothing else. The isolator
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is to be found on the outskirts of Vidin and there is no public transportation to its
location. Everyone willing to adopt an animal needs to make at least three round
trips between the isolator and the main office, which is located in the town
center. And this is only in case luck is on your side because it is absolutely
possible for the candidate to be denied access to the facility or it can even turn
out that the dog in question is hidden somewhere. Witnesses testify frequently
seeing pet dogs being dragged into vans by shelter workers who take them to the
facility where many disappear without a trace. If you're lucky enough after a row
or two in the office of the company your dog may eventually appear from who
knows where. As believed there might be a secret premise inside the dog isolator
where the most beautiful and well bred animals are kept. There is also a rumor
that an illegal fur factory outside the town processes the already dead animals.
Only the prosecutor's office and the District Veterinary Medical Office of Vidin
can tell if this is true or not. The town's general standard is below the critical
minimum. It is luxury here if one can find a minimum pay job. This makes it
almost impossible for whomever to even free their own dogs from the isolator.
The fee collected by Eco Titan Ltd. for that specific service is 27 BGN (13.50
EUR) – 25 directly enters into the company's cash register and the rest (2 BGN)
is paid to the Municipality of Vidin. The official statement of the employees of
Eco Titan Ltd. is that they do not collect pets. Yet, practice shows otherwise. The
workers capture all kinds of dogs, even those with collars, medallions or other
signs that clearly indicate they are pet dogs. Even when a dog is registered with
the Municipality as a pet and its owner pays taxes for it, it could end up in the
isolator. Then the owner will be asked to pay the 25 BGN fee. According to the
regulations this amount of money is demanded for disinfection and neutering of
the animal. Yet, none of the above is done for lack of money and qualified
veterinary surgeons.
The dog isolator outside the town of Vidin is in urgent need of a veterinary
surgeon. Ever since its establishment it has been using the services of one person
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– the 71 year-old doctor Savov. He provides his services against the humble sum
of 60 BGN per month. There is evidence that doctor Savov does not do
prophylaxis and disinfection of the dog pens. There even isn't a book that
provides information about the dates and hours a particular disinfection event
has taken place. According to the official statistics of Eco Titan Ltd.,
approximately 2000 dogs are euthanized in the shelter annually. Correlated with
the veterinary surgeon's remuneration this means that he gets 0.36 BGN per
euthanized dog. Each one of us can estimate how genuine this is. The veterinary
surgeon is hired on a one-month labor contract, which is renewed every month.
The newly appointed veterinary surgeon will be on a termless labor contract too.
This man is also a district veterinary surgeon for the village of Kapitanovtsi.
Having in mind the great number of
stray dogs that pass through this facility
every month – at least 200, it is not
clear how this man will manage to do
all the work by himself. His duties
include disinfection, dosage of
anesthetics and humane euthanasia. The
environmentalists from the town of Vidin are quite disturbed by this fact. They
truly believe that nothing has changed and that these are simply the old-day
methods, practiced today by new characters – the new veterinary surgeon will
probably fill in documents only. The repeated attempts of the citizens to find out
how the dogs in the isolator are killed always end up unsuccessfully.
Immediately before any of the required check-ups the freezers that usually hold
the bodies of the diseased animals turn out to be empty. Does the District
Veterinary Medical Office of Vidin tip the isolator in advance every time? We
cannot prove these allegations, yet there are well-grounded indications that point
to this. Those who deal with the dogs in the isolator don't even suspect that they
should have attended a course for humane treatment of the animals first. Of
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course none of them has attended any such activity. A similar course was
organized by the District Veterinary Medical Office and the District
Administration after a recent check up, which was initiated by the citizens of
Vidin. Yet, Daniela Dimitrova – manager of the shelter, preferred to spend a
couple of days at the seaside rather than attend the course, which would have
taught her how to humanely treat the “mongrels”.
The official statistics of Eco Titan Ltd. shows that a great number of the
captured animals die before they are humanely euthanized. The reasons for this
remain unclear – is it because of a wrong dosage of anesthetics, is it hunger,
thirst or disease or are they simply killed by other dogs accommodated in the
same pen. Up to now no postmortem has been performed on any of the dead
animals. There is no public control over the activities that take place in the dog
shelter. There is no mediator, environmentalist, or some other person, to express
the town's public opinion. The employees working in the isolator take their own
actions in accordance with each specific situation. There is no account of the
date on which certain dogs have entered the facility. The employees generally
rely on their strong memory in terms of observation of the 14-day period, after
which the dogs are euthanized. There is no information about the funds
distributed by the municipality of Vidin. Although this information has been
requested many times, such has not been provided by neither the municipality,
nor the firm that manages the shelter. Yet, Eco Titan Ltd. has signed contracts
with not only the municipality of Vidin, but also with all other municipalities in
Northwestern Bulgaria. None of the representatives of the town's administration
has any intention of developing a program for the neutering of stray dogs and
their release in the places they are taken from. It is far more profitable to keep an
annual record of 2000 uncontrolled dog killings, although those records show
that neutering is a cheaper, more effective and more humane way of dealing with
the population of stray animals. The 4-Paws Foundation has sent an official
letter to Ivan Tsenov, mayor of the town of Vidin, requesting humane attitude
105
towards the animals, as well as provision of the so needed neutering and
vaccination procedures. In a letter, signed by Oleg Djukanov, the Municipality
responds that there is no way the Administration could exercise control over the
activities of Eco Titan Ltd. In spite of it the municipality grants funds from the
municipal budget (Atanasova, I., 2007)
The writings on the walls of the first two pictures say "facility for torturing and
murdering of dogs - 50 m away". The writing on the garbage container says
"dogs", this is presumably the place where the carcasses are kept.
Isolator in VELIKO TARNOVO
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Here is the article that Vikki - the
representative of Animal Rights
Bulgaria for the UK - has written:
Here in Bulgaria we have a number of
problems involving animal welfare.
One of our biggest is the increasing
number of stray dogs. Unfortunately,
government officials have not taken the correct approach to solve this problem
and its presence will continue until they do so.
We have been made aware of the presence of a shelter based on the outskirts of
Veliko Tarnovo. We do not have grounds to say what we wish to on this matter
but we have been informed that a certain amount of money has been misplaced
which the shelter receives.
An anonymous individual went undercover in order to expose the cruel
circumstances in which stray dogs are under.
Two individuals in particular run this shelter. Person A* informed us that these
individuals go out and kill stray dogs on sight with the use of a gun. At the
shelter itself, they keep dogs there in order for it to remain inconspicuous. These
dogs are living under the bare minimum. Their diet mainly consists of bread
which can be purchased very cheaply here. At the weekends the dogs are left
entirely alone without receiving any water or food. The building is very basic. It
is surrounded by rubbish and animal bones. The corpses of dead dogs can also
be seen in large rusted industrial bins outside. The images below have been
taken by us and Person A* (Georgieva, V., 2007)
Isolator in BLAGOEVGRAD
107
Spring is dogs’ mating period and this is when stray dogs, which tend to move
around in packs and be aggressive during this time, present the greatest danger
to people. In Bulgaria, this problem is solved by putting stray dogs in shelters.
But a look at Blagoevgrad’s dog shelter, run by Biostroi Company, makes one
wonder: are dogs a danger to people or is it the other way around?
“Shut up!” Boiko Gulabov, a Biostroi guard, yelled at the dogs. The one-eyed
middle-aged man, with a gun in his back pocket, kicked the dogs’ cages in an
attempt to calm them down. Running from one side of the cage to the other, the
dogs became even more agitated, not with the initial joy of seeing visitors, but
with fear and despair.
The dog shelter is hard to find. It is situated in the village of Pokrovnik, about
six kilometers to the southwest of Blagoevgrad. The road to the dog shelter
passes by the half-ruined houses of Pokrovnik, many still inhabited, piles of
chopped wood, old cars, mounds of garbage, and big wrecked storage houses
bearing few clues about their past. A small empty janitor’s room at its entrance,
the dog shelter seems abandoned. A pungent smell of excrement and mould
indicates the proximity of the shelter.
The 12 dogs currently kept in the six cages of the shelter sleep and eat on piles
of mud, excrement and old bags. “Of course we clean the cages! Somebody
comes two days per week to clean them,” said Gulabov, as if offended by the
question.
As the cages are situated outdoors, their roof and iron bars do not protect the
dogs from bad weather. During the cold days, the dogs that share cages with one
or two more dogs are lucky. The rest have to face the cold alone. The cages are
of a one-by-two-meter size.
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“According to the Bulgarian veterinary law, the dogs have to be kept in the dog
shelter for 14 days. The company is obliged to give them food, water and
medicine during those days,” said Vasil Bachev, director of Biostroi. “The
animals are fed once per day. Usually we feed them with bread and
sandwiches,” he said. The dogs, with their ribs showing, sleep on the dirty bags
that used to contain their sandwiches. “I dare say we give them proper food and
take good care of them,” Bachev said.
The dogs do not get any regular check-ups, but “if there is something wrong
with the dog when it is brought in, it is taken care of by a vet - like if they have
parasites, skin diseases, broken limbs,” Bachev explained, looking at his watch
and arranging the martenitzi tied around his wrist. Gulabov, the only full-time
employee at the shelter, said he avoids touching the dogs. “You never know
what diseases they might have.”
If nobody claims the dogs from the shelter within two weeks, they are subject to
euthanasia, according to Article 70 of the Bulgarian law for veterinary-medical
activities. “’Euthanasia’ is the killing of animals without pain and stress, with a
licensed medical product,” says Article 430 of the same law. “It is very
important to understand that we only call authorized veterinarians to put the
dogs to sleep. Dogs don’t suffer from the injection. Not at all!” he said,
emphasizing every word.
People who have old dogs can have them euthanized at the Biostroi dog shelter
for free although every lethal shot costs Biostroi five levs, Bachev explained.
But the company doesn’t charge the owners because “they might decide to let
the dog to die in the street and the shelter employees would have to catch it
anyway,” Bachev explained.
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“Castration is not an option,” Bachev said. According to him, an aggressive dog
that is castrated and set loose can still harm somebody. “We know it is not
humane to kill the dogs, but it is more humane to protect our children," he said.
The company employees cannot catch dogs at their own initiative, Bachev
explained. Complaints from citizens indicating the dogs’ location are needed.
“They [the dog catchers] wouldn’t catch a dog that is being taken care of by
somebody, even if it’s not registered. Even if somebody has an unregistered dog
and keeps it safe, takes care of it and it doesn't pose a threat to anyone, then
there’s no problem,” Bachev said.
Four people are employed at the dog shelter: Gulabov and three dog catchers.
The catchers have a part-time job at the shelter as they are not always needed.
They use nets or tranquilizer darts to catch the dogs. But the darts rarely work as
the dogs run away with them and by the time the shelter workers find the dogs,
the effect of the darts is over. That’s why they often catch the dogs with their
bare hands.
Biostroi also deals with Blagoevgrad’s waste management and road

sustainability during the winter. Its old and communist-looking office is close to
the center of Blagoevgrad. Bachev is rarely there and no employees are allowed
to disclose information about the shelter’s activities.
In 2005, the Blagoevgrad municipality organized a contest to find the right

company to handle the stray dog issue. Biostroi won. The funding for the dog
shelter comes entirely from the municipality.
According to Bachev, the company is doing a great job. “Overall, we are doing
better than Sofia and nobody has had any complaints so far,” he said.
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Blagoevgrad citizens can adopt dogs from the shelter. Still, there is no
advertisement for it, Bachev said. “People just know about it.” Last year, three
people adopted dogs from the shelter after having just heard about it, Bachev
added. None out of six people from Blagoevgrad randomly chosen and
interviewed knew where the shelter and the Biostroi Company were located
(Serban-Temisan, M., 2006)
Isolator in Ruse
The dogs in the isolator became cannibals” is

the title of the leading material in the new
issue of newspaper “Utro” from today, may
30 2007. The dogs in the municipality isolator
have been put in such conditions that made
them start eating each other, saw the team
from the “24 hours” newspaper this
afternoon. The animals have been given dry bread, and only the lucky ones had
water as well. Behind the net the animals are forced to survive by eating one
another. The view is shocking and surely is not for people who have weak
nerves or hearts. “There is no such a thing; your newspaper is biased,” coolly
denied the manager of the Municipality isolator Dr. Stefan Stanchev. He was
explicit that it was a matter of manipulation, because the animals have received
good care at the isolator. Anyway, the truth
is that the most defenseless animal in the cage had been killed by the rest, who
have fought for survival.
This had happened because hunger awakens even the deeply stifled atavistic
instincts in every living being.
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The unbiased camera of the biased according to Dr. Stanchev newspaper took a
shot of the thing that supposedly did not exist – wild cannibalism. And if the
photographs could show smells as well, the readers would most positively attain
full idea about the case.
“I myself am astonished how that could happen, since the last week I went on a
check-up at the shelter and the animals were in a normal condition,” the vice-
mayor Orlin Lazarov commented. He explained that he did not have any
financial account about the work of the manager Dr. Stefan Stanchev, but
municipality had been providing food and medications for the animal. “The
gathered dogs are fed with
the wastes from the homes for old people, which lightens the budget,” Lazarov
added. The intention of the municipality is to repair the roof of the building, to
equip an operating and a manipulation room, as well as create additional kennels
for the captured animals (Pencheva, A., 2007)
Isolator in DIMITROVGRAD
112
Very few people in Dimitrovgrad know about
the isolator - the municipality, the journalists
that were present at the opening in 2005, the
people that work at the isolator and a part of
those, who take care of homeless dogs.
The isolator is locatad in the suburb

neighbourhood called "Mariino" and is a very hard to find spot. I passed right
around it at least a couple of times without noticing it, maybe because I didn't
expect the building to be so miserable, for the construction of which, by the way,
the municipality has assigned 8000 levs in 2005.
There are 5 kennels in the isolator, with 3 additional for mothers and their
puppies. The facility is attended by 5 workers, including the chief. It is ran by
the municipality enterprise "Blagoustrojavane". This is the firm responsible for
collecting the city garbage. According of its director, the daily expenses of a
single dog is about 10 lv., but these are mainly money for the staff - wages,
electricity, water, etc. The budget assigned for 2007 is 45 000 lv.
The afore-mentioned director in an article in

the local newspaper "Trakija XXI Vek" claims
that since the year of 2005 200 dogs have been
captured, 25% of which have been addopted or
returned to their owners. He also claims that
"his men don't capture dogs with collars or the ones that have been neutered.
Even if there was a case like this, it was a single one." However, I found about
the existence of the isolator exactly from a case where a neutered, ear-marked
and with a collar of the Bridget Bardo foundation dog has been captured. When
the article came out, in the upper-right corner, next to the words of the director,
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saying that no dogs with markings were taken there was a picture of one of those
dogs, kept in the isolator. The woman, who took care of it, went looking for her
pet but it was already gone.
In the same article, the director tells about

another case of a castrated dog being captured
the same week. In my opinion, 3 cases of
castrated dogs being captured in a period of one
week is no coincidence.
During the process of anaesthetizing with darts, the dog-catchers don’t wait long
enough for the dog to fall asleep but instead pull it out while it is still staggering
which adds extra stress. Similar was the case with the dog, thanks to which I
learned about the existence of the isolator in the town.
I was unofficially told that the isolator was not registered at the Regional
Veterinary Service in Haskovo, which means that it operates illegally. The same
applies to the isolator in Haskovo.
The kennels are in the open with only some kind of shed above along the cells.
In the winter the water in the containers freezes. The isolator has no water
supply. There are auto repair stations and other industrial premises in the vicinity
and maybe water carried by hand from there. It would be interesting to imagine
what the level of hygiene is when there isn’t even running water?
Because of the inhuman attitude of the

government towards the animals I regret I was
born in Bulgaria. I feel guilty for not being able
114
to do anything to stop this insanity carried out in an EU member country in the
21st century. I am ashamed of the fact that Bulgarians proved to be one of the
cruelest nations in Europe. (Ganchev, Y., 2007)
What are the public attitudes towards the problem with

the stay dogs?
Sofia, 16.01.2008. A representative survey by the MBMD agency, done at

request by the Four Paws foundation, shows that the support for CCR as a way
for dealing with the stray dogs problem is growing
Each year the sociological agency MBMD does a survey for Four Paws
measuring the public attitude towards the different approaches for reducing the
increasing number of stray dogs. The 2007 survey was carried out between
December 11 and December 18 among 2008 adult citizens of the Republic of
Bulgaria. To the question “Which approach for dealing with the stray dogs
problem you personally support and find fairer”, 45.4 % point castration,
vaccination and the release of stray dogs in the areas they have formerly
inhabited, 42.4 prefer capturing of animals in shelters (isolating stations) and
euthanizing them and 12.2 % have no opinion.
The support for the castration is highest among the people aged 18-29 (52.9 %),
the ones with university degree (54.8 %), those working in offices (58.5 %) and
the inhabitants of smaller cities and towns (49.7%) whereas euthanasia is most
popular among the elderly people (49.7%), those with primary school and lower
115
degrees of education (44.2 %) and those that live in villages (49.3 %). Compared
to 2005 when such a survey was made for the first time, the support for CCR has
risen with 10 % whereas the proponents of euthanasia have decreased with 12
%. “The tendency for a growing support for CCR is obvious and suggests that
Bulgarian society is ready to approve it as the most efficient way to deal with
the problem,” says Marina Ivanova of Four Paws. “For us the voting through of
an Animal Welfare Act that will allow for CCR as an approach for reducing of
the number of stray dogs is of utmost importance, as it this will give us the
opportunity to increase the number of projects in Bulgaria. We already have
many requests by municipalities, for which the only obstacle for adopting a
neutering program is the lack of legislation.” (Ganchev, Y., 2008)
What measures have been taken until now in order to

solve the problem with the Stray dogs in Bulgaria? Are
these measures effective and if not, why?
116
Municipalities in Bulgaria receive a certain amount of subsidies from the
Government on a regular basis and each municipality is responsible for finding
its own way of coping with the problem with the stray dogs. The most practiced
method in all the municipalities was randomly capturing stray dogs, closing
them in isolators where they remain in severe conditions for 14 days, after which
the captured stray dogs are being subject to euthanasia.
According to the previous legislation (Bill on veterinary activities), NOT

euthanizing the animal was ILEEGAL!
This method is absolutely ineffective. Without being nurtured, the rest of the
dogs, which still remain on the streets, would raise their number with 30 % each
year.
Thanks to all the functioning animal protection organizations, the CCR (capture-
castrate-release) method has been practiced in most municipalities a long before
the passing of the new Animal Protection Law. When the captured dogs have
already been castrated and vaccinated, they get a color plastic earring. This
means that they are also already registered with the given organization, for
which purpose every organization has its own color of the earring. This also
serves in order if a complaint has been failed against a certain stray dog, its care
organization will take the responsibility for its actions.
117
Which are the functioning organizations currently
working on solving the problem?
- Four Paws
- Afa
- German-Bulgarian Association
- Association for ‘Care for the stray dogs’
- Bezdom Website
-
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Four Paws Bulgaria
119
Start of the project in Veliko Tarnovo
The VIER PFOTEN Stray Animal Care Project continues: Since the middle of
March our team works in the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, vaccinating and
castrating stray dogs and stray cats.
Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo is a city with history: In

medieval times, it was the capital of Bulgaria
and it is famous for its historical landmarks
and monuments. The city is a popular tourist
location, it is situated in north central
Bulgaria, about 230 kilometers northeast of Sofia.
Around 71.000 people live here – and hundreds of stray animals.
In an attempt to find an efficient and lasting

solution to the stray dogs issue, the local
authorities have contacted FOUR PAWS and
asked for assistance. In Oktober 2007, the city
authorities signed the project contract, committing themselves to abstain from
killing stray animals.
120
committing themselves to abstain from killing stray animals.
The Stray Animal Care project in Veliko

Tarnovo was kicked off on March 17 and will
continue until April 13. The international
FOUR PAWS team consists of eight persons –
three veterinarians, two clinic workers, two
dogcatchers and Marina Ivanova, the manager
of this project. The castrations are performed
in the FOUR PAWS mobile clinic.
Our work here receives a lot of attention all over Bulgaria – the media reported
on all national TV channels and further cities and districts are interested in the
project. That is because the project of FOUR PAWS is a sustainable solution:
The stray animals are caught and castrated under an anaesthetic, receive medical
treatment and afterwards they are released. Furthermore, FOUR PAWS trains
local veterinarians so that they can continue the project.
Stray Animal Care in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria - Online Diary
Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central

Bulgaria, located approximately 230
kilometers away from Sofia. It is the
medieval capital of Bulgaria and is
famous for its historical monuments and
landmarks, among which the most well
121
known are the ruins of the castle Tsarevets, St Demetrius of Thessaloniki
Church, St Forty Martyrs Church, the old trade street and the numerous
buildings from the period of the Bulgarian National Revival. Only several
kilometres away from Veliko Tarnovo is the village of Arbanasi, known for the
rich history and large number of architectural monuments, such as 17th and 18th
century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. The
region of Veliko Tarnovo has also a large community of foreign residents.
In an attempt to find an efficient and
lasting solution to the stray dogs issue,
the local authorities have contacted
FOUR PAWS and asked for assistance.
The Stray Animal Care project in Veliko
Tarnovo kicks off on the 17th of March
and will continue till the 13th of April. The international FOUR PAWS team will
consist of eight persons – three veterinarians, two clinic workers, two
dogcatchers and Marina Ivanova, MVM, the manager of the SAC project. The
castrations will be performed in the FOUR PAWS mobile clinic, which will be
transported specially for the project from Switzerlandл
Tuesday, 18th of March 2008
The first two days were busy and
exhausting – the project started with a big
press conference on Monday, 17th of
March, at the City Hall after which all the
journalists were invited to the clinic to
see our work. The media interest was
really impressive – most of the local and
national TV stations have sent their crews to shoot the unique mobile clinic of
FOUR PAWS. There were so many correspondents that waited for interviews
that Marina had to combine operating with answering questions. The most
122
interesting part of our work, though, was the process of dog catching –
fortunately we could easily find stray dogs in the city center and Marian and
Mircea, our dog catchers, could show the best of their skills.
On Monday evening we were joined by Olga Velcheva, the newest veterinarian
in our Stray Animal Care team. For most of us, however, she is not a stranger, as
she has already taken part in the SAC projects in Pernik, Bulgaria and
Kragujevac and Svilajnac, Serbia as a volunteer.
On Tuesday we had the regular portion of
TV crews visiting the clinic as well as a
group of representatives of local animal
welfare organizations, who wanted to
receive detailed information about FOUR
PAWS. After they were shown around
and got acquainted with our work, they
expressed their admiration and support.
At the end of the second day of the project in Veliko Tarnovo we had 24
castrated dogs and news coverages on all of the big Bulgarian TV stations.
Monday, 24th of March 2008
We were surprised by the changing weather during the last week - on
Wednesday the temperatures dropped to around 5 degrees Celsius and there was
snow. Nevertheless our team did not stop work and in spite of the bad conditions
we managed to castrate 16 animals on Wednesday, 19 on Thursday and 14 on
Friday. There were a lot of volunteers who brought the dogs they feed to our
clinic. At the end of the first week the total number of castrated, vaccinated and
treated against parasited animals was 73 - 72 dogs and 1 cat.
Saturday, 22nd of March was the holiday of the city of Veliko Tarnovo. There
were thousands of guests and tourists and we were planning to open our info tent
but on Friday there was a tragic incident in the city - a building collapsed and
there were two casualties. All celebrations were cancelled and the mayor
123
announced a day of mourning. We decided to postpone the opening of the tent
for Sunday.
Monday, 31th of March 2008
During the past week the weather
continued to be variable and we decided
to have two days off and work on the
weekends during the end of the project,
when it is expected to have sunny
weather and higher temperatures. On
Sunday we were called by a
n animal welfare activist, who reported
about a dog with a seemingly bad injury. Mircea and Marina went immediately
to see if they can catch the dog. They were lucky to find and anaesthetize it,
after which they examined the poor animal. The initial check showed an old
injury, possibly a broken pelvis. This week we will try to find a place to make
X-ray pictures to confirm the diagnosis and see whether we can help the dog and
improve its condition.
Wednesday, 2nd of April 2008
On Monday we took Princess (the injured dog) to the local X-ray facility. The
picture showed a far better situation than expected - the pelvis was not broken
and only the soft tissues of the hind legs showed old injuries - by a severe blow,
she was probably badly kicked. This was supported by the fact that Princess was
very unfriendly and suspicious about all humans. After we took her back to our
clinic and were sure that her condition could allow for a surgical operation, we
neutered her. We could not release her back in the streets with the injuries in the
legs, but fortunately the people who asked us to help the dog decided to take her
home while she recovers. On Monday we opened the info tent in one of the
suburbs of the city, where there is a higher number of stray dogs and were joined
124
by Mr. Kaleinsky, a municipality councilor, who assisted us in explaining the
benefits of our Stray Animal Care project to the local people.
Tuesday was the best day of the project so far - we had 22 castrated dogs. Dr.
Luepcke, a German who lives in Bulgaria and is also a member of the Bulgarian
Committe on Ethics towards Animals, joined our dog catchers and helped them
persuade local people to let us take the animals they take care of. So far the main
problem the dog catchers met with was the fact that almost half of the street
dogs and cats they catch turn out to have an owner, who would appear out of the
blue and prevent them from taking the animal to the clinic.
On Wendesday we had an official visit to
the clinic by the mayor of Veliko
Tarnovo, Mr. Rashev. He was acquainted
in details with our project and was shown
around the clinic by Marina. As a
physician himself, he was really curious
in learning more about the methods of
FOUR PAWS for the reduction of stray animal population. At the end of the day
we had a total of 171 castrated animals since the beginning of the project (Four
Paws, 2008)
References (Appendix D):
Atanasova, I., October 6, 2007, The dog concentration camp in Vidin, Bezom
[electronic version], Isolators Section, Retrieved Aprilo 8, 2008, from Bezdom
website:
&Itemid=31
125
Bulgaria stops killing the stray dogs, January 24, 2008, Four Paws Bulgaria
[electronic version], News section, Retrieved April 9, 2008, from Four Paws
Bulgaria website:
http://www.four-
paws.bg/website/output.php?id=1267&idcontent=1919&language=1
Eco-Community Association, October 13, 2007, Isolator in Pleven, Bezdom

[electronic version], Isolators section, Retrieved April 8, 2008, from Bezdom
website:
&Itemid=31
Ganchev, Y., January 18, 2008, Support of castration and releasing of stray dogs
grows, Bezdom [electronic version], News section, Retrieved April , 2008, from
Bezdom website:
&Itemid=31
Georgieva, V., September 5, 2007, Isolator in Veliko Tarnovo, Bezdom

[electronic version], Isolators section, Retrieved April 8, 2008, from Bezdom
website:
&Itemid=31
Pencheva, A., October 22, 2007, The dogs in the isolator /In Ruse!!!/ became
cannibals, Bezdom [electronic version], News section, Retrieved April 8, 2008,
from Bezdom website:
&Itemid=31
126
Serban-Temisan, M., March 20, 2006, Man, beware of dog ot dog beware of
man?, Bezdom [electronic version], News section, Retrieved April 8, 2008, from
Bezdom website:
&Itemid=31
Stray animal care in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, April 2, 2008, Four

Paws Bulgaria [electronic version], Projects section, Retrieved April 8, 2008,
from Four Paws website:
http://www.four-
paws.bg/website/output.php?id=1269&idcontent=1966&language=1
127

HARMONY - Permanent Dog Shelter Project, Bulgaria

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6.3 Surveys ………………………………………………………29

6.4 Internal Analysis ……………………………………………. 30

7. Defining the strategic framework

8. Marketing Action Plan ……………………………………………36

8.2 Corporate collaboration ……………………………………… 38

9. Promotion Plan ……………………………………………………. 39

10.Organizational Plan ………………………………………………....42

References (Desk Research) …………………………………………….. 123

“Dog is men’s best friend”

Euthanasia is the practice of medically-assisted death. It is a controversial

- Every year in Bulgaria, 5.000.000 leva (about €2.500.000) of the budget

2.2 Problem tree

New European Organizations

We strive to contribute to HARMONY life in Bulgaria, where stray dogs will no

is an independent, non-profit organization. Our

We are operating in the private sector of non-profit, independent animal

4.1 Animal Welfare Foundation of Bulgaria

Nevertheless, we believe that enough people concern in welfare of all pet

Current projects and campaigns:

(2) Collection of abandoned and lost animals by no-kill sheltering and

The introduction of our initiative has to be taken as a serious pilot

The Bulgarian Society for Animal Protection and Preservation

In order to end the suffering of countless innocent animals in

Current projects & campaigns:

- Fund raising campaign

- Online adoption campaign

4.3 Four Paws Bulgaria

The task of the FOUR PAWS/VIER PFOTEN is to help mistreated animals -

Current projects & campaigns

The aim of our campaign work is to achieve long-term, legally binding

- popularizing the CCR method (catch-castrate-release)

- exercising the CCR method in cooperation with different

4.4 Nobody’s pet

Bezdom.info is an independent website, supported by a couple of

Current projects & campaigns

5. Defining the added value

6.1 External analysis

• Home economy situation and trends

In the case of economic criteria, the Bulgarian functioning market economy

Bulgaria generally meets the requirements of the accession negotiations

Sofia, 16.01.2008. A representative survey by the MBMD agency, done at

• Cultural values and norms

As far as the fight against fraud and corruption is concerned, Bulgaria

Corruption has a long history in Bulgaria. During four decades of communism,

The communist collapse of 1989-90 then ushered in privatisation. Well-

6.2 Stakeholder Analysis

6.2.1 General Public

6.2.5 European Union

6.2.6 Private interest groups

- Interest in the organization – M- tel is the largest mobile operator in

6.3.1 Survey I Summery14

6.4 Internal Analysis

6.5 SWOT analysis

• Non-profit organization (NPO) • Limited budget

- we offer better living conditions to stray dogs

What do people in your market see as your

• International Animal Rights Protection • Corruption

• What can we do to maximize our strengths?

- What must we build or develop to overcome weaknesses?

- What do we need to do to make use of the opportunities?

- What can we do to minimize or neutralize threads?

7. Defining the strategic framework