Saving suffering strays in Sarajevo

Hi friends! 

All of you know that I love all creatures big and small. Most of you also know that I have a special burden for the countless strays specifically in  Sarajevo, Bosnia, where I have lived from 2003-2004 working for a charity.

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country that not long ago experienced the tragedy of war, is home to countless stray dogs and cats. Many of the dogs are beautiful shepherd mixes, descendants of former pets owned by residents who were forced to flee their homes in the early 1990s during the Bosnian war. These pets became strays which then multiplied in the streets and surrounding forests, and like many of the people who remained or returned to Bosnia, struggled (and still struggle) to survive. 

As a result—and as is common in many Eastern European countries—many strays are routinely poisoned, tortured, or abused by individuals battling their own internal horrors and life circumstances. Obviously, few condone such occurrences, and fewer still can help.

Having cared for and taken in countless strays myself during my year in Sarajevo, I am still deeply moved by their immense suffering. As soon as temperatures drop in autumn my heart goes out to them as I know the winters are particularly tough as it gets bitterly cold in the region and the strays often have no shelter whatsoever, sitting on icy roads with no protection from the elements at all on top of the many other dangers they are exposed to all year round.

Three years ago I finally decided that I needed to find a way to help them even from a distance. I searched for local rescuers whom I could support financially and hence alleviate some of the suffering via like-minded animal lovers.

Thanks to social media I’ve become aware of a Bosnian woman who has started a now internationally recognised rescue operation to help that stray population that mushroomed in her midst in Sarajevo. Her name is Milena Malesevic and she is the founder of Saving Suffering Sarajevo Strays (Facebook page Saving Suffering Sarajevo Strays Facebook page ).

The rescuer, Milena Malesevic

Via my Facebook account but also in person I’ve watched her feed many a stray dog. I’ve watched her take injured dogs to the vet, post receipts for dog food purchases and veterinary care, pack her flat full of dogs plucked from certain death on the streets, build dog sanctuaries in the countryside, and watched as her volunteer network of helpers abroad grew alongside of her on-the-ground efforts. Several documentaries (here  and here ) have been made about Milena, another one  features her, she’s been written up in numerous media outlets (here  and here  ).

A recent rescue, an emaciated senior beagle, who was being stoned by locals

A typical night for Milena: rounds in the area to feed strays

Stray puppies by the side of the road – a common sight in Bosnia

Over the past 25 years Milena has rescued thousands of dogs. At any one point in time she has around 200 dogs in her care. And she cares for them well. Still, it's heartbreaking to see them beg you to take them home and love them when you can't…

Milena manages to get around 10 dogs ready for adoption and transported to their new homes every month. 10 go, and then she finds 10 more... It is a bottomless pit, but she doesn't give up. She dedicates her life and all to the strays.

Well behaved and patient rescues at Milena’s apartment that resembles a veterinary surgery

More sweet and well behaved rescues at one of her kennels outside the city

Kira, one of Milena’s rescues that has recently found a new home

Yet she feels very much alone in her daily struggle. Despite her international network of volunteers she is still very much a one-woman show right there in Sarajevo. She has no volunteers helping her on the ground; she has to fight a lot of corruption and despite all efforts she is often short of funds to keep her protégés safe and fed. Whatever practical help she requires, she has to pay for it.

I have visited her twice before, so I know that she's the real deal. I know that every pound I send to her goes straight to the dogs. Milena has nothing and wants nothing in her life other than keeping those dogs safe and rescue as many more as possible.

There are many scammers on social media posing as rescuers playing on the emotions of others, enriching themselves at the expense of the animals they aren’t helping and the good-hearted people sending donations in the hope to reduce some of the suffering. Milena is not one of them. I can vouch for her authenticity.

Supporting her, means to save lives.

Now the exciting bit is that in 10 days I will travel to Sarajevo with two dear friends of mine, Cassie Young  and Indigo Hogg, for a whole week in order to lend a helping hand to Milena, a shoulder to cry on and whatever else she might need.

Of course, we won’t go empty-handed, we bought many useful items for Milena and her rescue already. Yet we would also like to raise money for the broader efforts of Saving Suffering Sarajevo Strays, as well.

There are kennels with one employee to help feed and care for about 175 dogs. Some dogs are flown to the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and other European nations for adoption, but most remain in Milena’s care. There are vet bills and food to pay for, among many other expenses.

While supporting Milena will be our main focus, I would like to mention another amazing and selfless rescuer I was lucky to meet and have been supporting for the same duration already. Her name is Aida (Donna Doni Aida ) and she is a young woman who equally gives everything she has to the strays whom she loves with her whole heart.

Aida on her daily round to feed the strays

Aida lives very humbly but cares for more than 40 cats that live in the streets. She feeds them twice a day and ensures that they receive medical treatment when needed. As and when she has the funds she takes them one by one to the vet to get them neutered. She is constantly trying to find homes for as many cats as possible. Last December I travelled to Sarajevo to adopt one of her protégés: 3 year old Maya. She now is the happiest and most grateful feline in England! 

Aida’s cat rescue support Facebook group can be found here .

One of the poorly cats Aida found emaciated and sick – before and after having been in her care for a few months

This will be the third time visiting Aida. Dealing with her is always such a pleasure. She also rescues dogs and usually has about 30 dogs in her kennels outside the city where they receive all the care they need until they find their forever homes.

Her dog rescue support Facebook group can be found here .

Rescued dogs at Aida’s kennels

One of Aida’s many street cats in need of a home

If you are looking to adopt a cat or a dog, please do get in touch. I would be absolutely thrilled!

Now, this site is called “Go fund me”, but of course, I am not looking to be funded myself. All donations will go to Milena’s and Aida’s rescues – obviously every single penny.

Now why should you donate? What difference will it make? It will make a difference in the lives of these women who help some of God’s most vulnerable creatures. When others look away, Milena and Aida rush in with no expectation of gain or reward, but simply because it is the right thing to do. That kind of thing speaks to me, makes me want to be a better person, and reminds me that for all the negativity in the world, God has definitely placed a few angels among us. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to be part of the light they bring into a dark place. What about you?

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!