Srce za šapu Dog Shelter
About us
Srce za šapu mission
The mission of Bosnian dog rescue Srce za šapu is to transform the lives of abandoned dogs by providing safety and medical care in the shelter, and by promoting happiness through adoption.
Srce za šapu objectives:
- To ensure that dogs in the Srce za šapu shelter receive love and care and to provide them a living ambient that is in accordance with their needs and nature.
- To provide the chance for each dog from the Srce za šapu shelter to be adopted to responsible and trustable adopter.
- To reduce the number of stray dogs by raising awareness for responsible dog ownership, advocating for chipping and by organizing actions for neutering of stray and owned dogs.
- To protect animal rights and decrease different forms of cruelty towards animals by lobbying for implementation of sanctions prescribed by the Law.
History
of Srce za šapu Dog Shelter
Overcoming Challenges and Improving Conditions
The Srce za Šapu dog shelter operated from August 2015 to November 2019. Originally established in 2010 by the local government as a legal obligation, the shelter was abandoned and in a terrible condition when we took over. The 190 m² space, located near a garbage dump, was home to hungry, thirsty, and sick stray dogs roaming among the trash. In this chaotic environment, we stepped in to manage the municipal “shelter” as a temporary solution.
During our management until November 2019, the shelter housed around 100 stray dogs on 790 m². Despite our efforts, the shelter environment remained extremely unhealthy. Maintaining hygiene was nearly impossible due to contaminated grounds. Poisonous water from the garbage dump seeped directly into the shelter, attracting rats and posing a constant risk of disease spread. The ground was contaminated with parvovirus, leading to a high mortality rate among puppies. Additionally, there was no quarantine area, no electricity, and only an improvised water supply. Cleaning the dogs of parasites, fleas, and ticks was nearly impossible due to the contaminated environment.
Despite the harsh conditions, we remained committed to improving the lives of the dogs in our care, focusing on their well-being and safety in the most challenging circumstances.
Creating a Safe Haven for Abandoned Dogs
From day one, the mission of Srce za šapu has been to rescue dogs from dangerous, unhealthy, and inhumane conditions at the garbage dump. Our goal is to move them to “The Land of Dogs”—a scenic, cage-free sanctuary where abandoned dogs can live among human and animal friends in a healing environment until they find their forever homes.
With that aim, in year 2016 Board members bought the land size 18.500 square meters, installed the fence and it gave it to the association Srce za šapu to build new dog shelter and manage it in a long-term. After two years of exhausting administrative procedure and obstructions of local government, in July 2018, we finally got the Building Permission and started with works. In November 2019, Srce za šapu opened the doors of the animal rescue The Land of Dogs and moved the dogs from the landfill.
About our Dog Shelter
srce za šapu – the LAND OF DOGS
The Land of Dogs features three spacious collective accommodation houses, each measuring 15.6 m x 5.4 m. These dog houses are surrounded by large courtyards, providing plenty of space for playing, running, and socializing. This cage-free shelter design promotes free movement and encourages interaction with people – an aspect we take great pride in.
The shelter also includes a quarantine area with 10 kennels, a smaller puppy facility, and a dog reception and bath area, which currently serves as a storage room and kitchen.
We ensure that all dogs receive regular health care in cooperation with our contracted Veterinary Station. This includes vaccinations, treatments against intestinal and external parasites, and medical care for sick animals. We also organize neutering campaigns and provide surgical treatments when necessary.
Our shelter holds a Work Permit confirming compliance with the BiH Rule-book on the method of setting up and managing animal shelters. Additionally, we possess a TRACES license, enabling the legal adoption of dogs to Western European countries (WE).
The capital investment for building the Land of Dogs were exclusively provided by the Srce za šapu founders without contribution from any foundation or governmental institution. Also, the running costs are provided by the founders, with support from friends and sympathizers of the shelter.
The very first grant Srce za šapu received in year 2021, from the UK foundation MAWT, and in year 2022 from SPCA International. Since August 2023, Srce za šapu is receiving a monthly grant from the German TAO Foundation, which provides approximately 50% of the funds for the operational costs of the dog shelter. The remaining 50% is raised by through individual donations.
The financial operations of the Srce za šapu are managed by the accounting firm MeAd d.o.o. from Sanski Most.
We invite you to
virtually visit The Land of Dogs
Who we are?
Srce za šapu Dog shelter
Dževad Karabeg
Founder
Eni Kurtović
Founder
Ivona Čelebičić
Board member
Zlatan Nikolić
Board member
Zlata Schaub Kadirić
Board member
Marcel Wildhaber
Board member
Omer Hadžiahmetović
employee
Maida Mujkanović
employee
Majda Hadžiahmetović
employee
Founders of the Srce za šapu associatioin voluntarily perform all managing tasks related to the planning, organizing and overseeing the human, financial and material resources of the shelter, keeping dog records, reporting, promoting and establishing contacts with possible partners, fundraising etc. However, the favourite part of our job remains direct work with dogs in the shelter.
The shelter that we run has three employees. They take care of the dogs seven days a week, during the working hours from 08.00 to 16.00.
Partners
Thank you for your support!
General purpose grant 2,000 EUR monthly for the period Aug 2023 – Dec 2025
2022: Grant 3.000 USD for general care costs
Support in adopting dogs in Belgium and collecting donations for SRCEZAŠAPU shelter costs
Support in adopting dogs in Austria and collecting donations for SRCEZAŠAPU shelter costs
Grant 1.933 EUR (2021) and grant 3.387 EUR (2022) for health care of dogs / vet interventions