Having done a lengthy introduction on the Introductions thread and posted some photographs, I thought it best if I moved over here.

Charities do not exist in Bulgaria in the sense that they do in the UK. The closest Animal-SOS could come was to register as a foundation, which it is in Burgas under the number 176367224 and the name of Animal-SOS 2012. The Founder is Margarita Peeva-Natsidu.

There are two foundation status's which entitles to a tax deduction, one of these I think being football.

The sanctuary is also a registered entity with the Veterinary Department in Burgas, Bulgaria under the number 81120275. Over the past 8 months, volunteers and contractors have worked very hard to meet the requirements.

Sometimes, I read what happens and in particular the perception of animal welfare in Bulgaria and think "
people must think it is pretty lawless and the Bulgarians don't really care"
.

Personally, I have found this to be far from the truth.

There are the same entrenched attitudes towards castration as I often hear in the UK - I mean honestly, anyone would think I was proposing getting two bricks, putting your wedding tackle between them and slamming the bricks together.

I have just found it difficult to get my head around the TNR programme in terms of why does national law say it is OK to return a dog to the place it has been caught, when local bye-laws have fines of Lev. 500 for feeding stray dogs. Too much competing and conflicting legalese.

But back to the Bulgarians. The story of how Animal-SOS came about shows that there are local people who care. That they are not gaining any financial benefit from what they do - or try to do.

We are now trying to prepare for the influx of tourists in the summer season when the requests for help increase. Over the coming days, I am hoping to post some information on where Animal-SOS can and can't help.

good luck with your charity. I hope lots of animals benefit from the hard work done by you and your co workers. I would like to say i agree that on the whole there are as many bulgarians who care about there animals as anywhere else in eu. I have personally rehomed several dogs and horses since coming to bulgaria and more than half i am sad to say have come from british owners, who have become bored with the idea of owning pets. The more people spreading the ideals of responsible animal ownership the better place the world will be.

Many congratulations on all the hard work you are doing here in BG for the animals, the neuter and release schemes really work well and prevent a lot of unwanted dogs being left on the streets in distressing conditions for them. The schemes have worked well in Didim in Turkey, but take some time before the benefits of the scheme begin to work, but eventually there will be less street dogs out there looking for homes for life.

Couldn't agree more itchyfeet.

The TNR programmes when run correctly are vital. Mr. Robert Smith achieved so much in Romania. Sadly when he withdrew about 7 months ago, the situation reverted very quickly and now there is an international outcry about it all.

However, whatever programmes are run locally, we still need to educate the younger generations on responsible pet care. The need to neuter still seems to be a very emotive and difficult subject for many people in many countries.

I have friends in the UK who will not have their dog "
done"
. The want to have a puppy from her to keep. I could understand this if dogs reproduced like humans and multiple births were not the norm. Oh, we'll find homes for the other pups (no doubt for a price) was the dismissive answer. With no thought for the life those pups may be subjected to.