Pioneering model project: castration and education
Although dog owners are threatened with heavy fines if they do not have their animals neutered, many do not comply - for example because they cannot afford the treatment. In fact, many animals have been abandoned since then.
This is precisely the problem we are tackling with the pilot project that we launched in 2024 together with our member association Tierhilfe Hoffnung: Over the next five years, we want to work with the national and regional veterinary authorities to ensure that dog owners in the Argeș district comply with their legal ownership obligations. Local vets will check and ensure that dogs are identified, registered and vaccinated against rabies. Animal Aid Hope will also be responsible for neutering dogs that have not yet been neutered. In order to be able to carry out up to 40,000 castrations per year, Tierhilfe Hoffnung is relying on a new castration and registration center built for the project in addition to its castration mobiles. It is the first center of its kind in Romania and an important step towards implementing our overall concept: killing stations are to be converted into neutering centers and street dogs and cats are to be neutered, vaccinated and then released back into their area of origin.2 This is the only way to solve the street animal problem in the long term, sustainably and in a way that protects animals.
You should not feed your dog this
If bones are on the menu, the animals can easily injure themselves or suffer from constipation afterwards.
Chocolate is even poisonous for dogs. In general, all sweets are completely unsuitable.
Dogs can contract Aujeszky's disease from raw pork. It is similar to rabies and is fatal.
Food that comes straight from the fridge can upset dogs' stomachs. It should therefore be at room temperature.
How much does a cat cost? The examples are minimum costs and a rough estimate*
Purchase price when adopting from a shelter, pedigree cats from a breeder can cost up to several thousand euros.
e.g. for bowls, lying caves and cushions, scratching posts/boards, litter trays, toys etc.
for food, health checks with vaccinations, worming, parasite treatment, litter for the litter box, surgery/animal health insurance if necessary, etc.
e.g. visits to the vet, medication, neutering, identification with transponder and microchip etc.
Sources and further information
¹ Junghunde. In: Zentek J, Hrsg. Ernährung des Hundes. 9., vollständig überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2022.
2 Starzonek J, von Lindeiner L, Vervuert I.Evaluation of complete vegan diets for dogs and cats available in GermanyVeterinary Practice Issue K: Small Animals / Pets 2021
3 Further information on a vegetarian or vegan diet for dogs and cats from an animal welfare perspective. (available in German only)
4 Manual p.The "BARF" trend - advantages, disadvantages and risks Veterinary Focus 2014; 24(03): 16 - 23.
5 Dillitzer N, Becker N, Kienzle E (2011). Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs. Br J Nutr, pp. 53-56.
