Love for animals, solidarity and responsible pet ownership brought the people of Novi Sad together at the “Paws of Solidarity” event, where around 100 kilograms of dog and cat food were collected.
The food will go to the local associations SPANS and PetConnect, which care for abandoned animals every day.
The event was held at OPENS, within the EU Corner Novi Sad, and organised by Europe House Novi Sad, OPENS, Maxi Dog Social Club and the association “Pravo na život” from Šabac. Visitors could also have professional photos taken with their pets, thanks to photographer Vladimir Veličković, who volunteered his time. Visitors brought dog and cat food and received photos in return. The voluntary commitment of everyone involved was an important part of the campaign.
For some, it was a chance to spend time with their pets and help other animals. For others, it was a way to offer support even when they are not in a position to adopt a dog themselves.
“I’m a big animal lover and I adopted a dog. My sister and I often take part in charity campaigns, and I’m glad we could make a small contribution and help collect food,” said Dunja Milovanović.
The event highlighted the key role of responsible pet ownership. Representatives of the associations reminded visitors that the problem of abandoned animals stems from human irresponsibility and that shelters should only be a temporary stop on the way to a permanent home.
“People are the reason dogs are abandoned, which is why it is important to raise awareness about adoption. A shelter should be a temporary solution where a dog is socialised and prepared for a home. There are many ways to help, from small donations of RSD 100 a month, to volunteering and walking dogs at weekends, to temporary fostering, especially after spaying, neutering or other veterinary procedures, so the dog can recover somewhere warm,” said Sonja Odadžić from PetConnect Novi Sad.
“Dogs are extremely sensitive beings, and human presence and volunteering are crucial for them. If someone is not in a position to adopt permanently, there is always the option of fostering, looking after a dog until it finds its ‘forever home’. Events like this bring together a community of like-minded people who spread awareness about responsible ownership and the problem of abandoned dogs,” said Vanja Maksimović from Maxi Dog Social Club.
Participants also learned about changes to the rabies antibody titre test and the simplified procedure for entering EU countries. For dog owners, this means easier, faster and cheaper travel with their pets, while still requiring responsible behaviour, regular vaccinations and compliance with the rules.