Dear aaa,
This is not a place where life can thrive.
Mountains of rubbish stretch beyond the horizon. The wind scatters empty wrappers and plastic. The smell is nauseating and foul.
Yet for dogs living at the landfill in Podujeva, Kosovo, this is all they know.
Some were dumped here. Others were born into it, never knowing kindness, comfort, or care. The landfill may grant them bare survival but not a proper life.
This reality is heartbreaking. And we are stepping in to change it. aaa, are you with us? |
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The FOUR PAWS team, in collaboration with our local veterinary partner, DVM Albatrit, is embarking on a two-week mission to the landfill – first to assess the situation, and then to provide urgent veterinary care.
What we already know is devastating.
Many dogs are suffering from untreated injuries and illnesses. They scavenge through waste in search of food and lack clean water. While we believe there are approximately 150, there is no reliable count of the dogs: groups often shift, abandoned animals continue to arrive, and countless puppies are born into this harsh environment – even if many do not survive. |
To ease this crisis, the team will humanely catch and transport as many dogs as possible to the clinic, where they will be examined, sterilised, receive deworming, microchipping, rabies vaccinations, and other life‑saving medical treatments. For many of these animals, this may be the only chance to receive veterinary care.
One of the most critical aspects of the mission is sterilising female dogs.
A single female can give birth to multiple litters each year, quickly increasing the number of dogs in the area. Breaking this devastating cycle can spare future generations from being born into suffering.
The conditions of the mission are challenging. The terrain is open and unpredictable. The dogs are fearful. The environment is unsanitary, and constant exposure to decomposing waste demands exceptional resilience.
Yet despite these obstacles, we are committed to helping the dogs – and we ask for your support to make it possible.
Will you help the dogs receive the help they so desperately need? |
Since 2023, FOUR PAWS has been actively working in Kosovo: collaborating with national and local authorities, building strong partnerships with local NGOs, and carrying out CNVR (Catch‑Neuter‑Vaccinate‑Return) work on the ground. These efforts are already delivering positive results, proving that humane and effective dog population management is possible.
The work in Podujeva is a vital part of this long-term approach. Street dog surveys conducted between June 2024 and May 2025 estimated 2,995 dogs living on the streets there. By providing relief to the dogs at the landfill – alongside our ongoing street work - we aim to stabilise the local dog population, reduce suffering, and create lasting change.
We hope to establish Podujeva as a model municipality and an inspiring example for communities across Kosovo. |
With your support, a place of despair can become a place of hope.
Thank you for standing with those who were discarded and for giving them a chance at a better life. |
With warm regards,
Ana Oliveira
Global Donor Outreach Team |
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| Disclaimer: The photos included in this email were taken at a different landfill in Kosovo. As this will be our team’s first visit to the Podujeva landfill during the upcoming mission, footage from that location is not yet available. |
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