The two-day workshop “Challenges and Obstacles in Dog Population Management in BiH, Choosing the Path Forward” brought together representatives of local governments, veterinarians, inspection bodies and civil society organisations in Konjic. The aim was to exchange practical experiences and define recommendations for sustainable, humane and effective dog population management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The workshop was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dogs Trust Bosnia and Herzegovina Foundation, with a focus on supporting cities and municipalities in developing planned, feasible and long-term solutions that contribute to public safety and animal welfare.

During the first day, participants presented challenges and results from their communities, emphasising that most local governments face very similar issues. One participant from Bijeljina highlighted how valuable this type of exchange is for communities that are only beginning to address the issue:

“A great experience. This is my first time attending a workshop of this kind. Everyone is focused on the same goal, how to manage the dog population in our own cities and across BiH. Through presentations from other local communities we learned how they addressed high dog numbers and what initial steps we need to take. Wonderful atmosphere and all praise for the organisers,” said Dragiša Zarić, Intervet Bijeljina.

In informal discussions, participants also shared personal motivations behind their work with animals. Empathy and a strong sense of responsibility were among the most frequently mentioned values:

“I am glad to have met people who share the same passion and love for animals, not only dogs but all animals. When I see people who show empathy for those who cannot speak for themselves, it gives me hope that we have not lost our human compass,” said Sehija Čupina, organisation “Prijatelji šapicama”, Konjic.

The second day focused on group work, identifying key problems and developing recommendations that can help local communities adopt realistic and sustainable dog population management plans. The importance of coordinated cooperation was particularly emphasised by a representative of the City of Konjic:

“The key conclusion shared by all local communities is that only joint work, involving local government, veterinary organisations and animal welfare groups, can lead to real solutions. The knowledge gained at workshops like this helps ensure that our plans are solid and achievable,” noted Sandra Uzunović, veterinary and sanitary inspector, City of Konjic.

The workshop demonstrated that local communities in BiH are highly motivated to improve their approaches, learn from one another and build models that ensure both public safety and animal welfare. UNDP and Dogs Trust BiH will continue supporting the development of sustainable and humane solutions through strengthening institutional capacities and raising awareness among citizens.