There are now about 870 dogs at the Chisinau center for the capture and sterilization of animals without an owner at a time when its capacity is of 600-700 animals. As the center is overcrowded, the dogs without a master caught on the street are neutered, vaccinated against rabies and are then set free if they are not aggressive.
Contacted by IPN for details, Karl Luganov, senior specialist of the Animal Control and Protection Section of the Public Amenities Division, said that about 7 million lei was spent on the capture, sterilization, vaccination, feeding, care and other costs incurred for the animals last year. Sterilization contributes to reducing the population of stray dogs. The animals are less aggressive and the attitude to them changes. The people know that these are neutered and vaccinated. But the sterilization process was suspended a month ago because there are no medical workers who could deal with it.
Volunteers come to socialize with animals of the center and to look after them. Anyone can visit the animals even if they haven’t decided to adopt one. Those who want can come to the center from Monday through Friday between 1pm and 3pm, while on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day.
The municipality promotes the responsible adoption of animals. Karl Luganov said it often happens that a person takes a dog and then changes the mind after a period and abandons this, not taking the animal back to the center at least.
Karl Luganov said that steps have been taken for the number of street animals to decrease. In cooperation with private veterinary clinics, they work on subsidized sterilization programs for persons who cannot afford to pay the full price of the service. They also plan to register the dogs so that these could be easier found if they get lost. If the animal is abandoned, the owner could be penalized.
