The animal rights activist Eduard Volkov suggests Moldova should implement a catch-neuter-vaccinate-return (CNVR) program for non-aggressive strays. According to the activist, this program is supported by the World Health Organization as the most successful solution in the fight against rabies and can become an alternative to euthanasia solutions proposed by the authorities.

Volkov told a press conference on Fridaythat the authorities are preparing “a massacre through euthanasia” of stray dogs. Conversely, he says CNVR programs are successfully implemented in several “civilized states”, including Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, in addition to a host of western countries. “This program represents an inexpensive solution to the problem of stray animals. It involves sterilizing 70%-80% of stray dogs during the year. Also, the program includes pet registration, harsher penalties for pet abandonment, more intense adoption efforts and awareness-raising activities among the general population”, said Volkov.

The activist noted that some countries, such as Germany, even teach animal protection in schools. With a municipal CNVR program in the Romanian city of Oradea, stray numbers dropped dramatically and the same was seen in Ukraine’s Lviv, Volkov exemplified. “In countries where public money is not being systematically embezzled, where animal shelters are built, where adoption programs and pet registration measures are in place, progress is seen”, said the activist.

Volkov declared that if Moldova wants to join the European Union, the authorities must follow “civilized” examples in solving the problems of stray dogs, and the euthanasia solution proposed by the authorities is not one of them. He added that stray dogs are regularly “mistreated and murdered” in Moldova.

Olga Supchanova, another animal rights activist, told the same press conference that there are currently no good shelters for stray animals in Chisinau. “Our capital is probably the only European city that does not have a municipal shelter for dogs. We need a shelter that would include a sterilization facility, an adoption center and proper enclosures”, said the activist.