The construction works on the abandoned animals shelter have kicked off in Vlasotince, in an effort to address the issue of stray dogs which pose a risk to safety and health of local population. The construction of the 400 square metres facility with an infirmary and two kennels is funded by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European PROGRES programme and the Municipality of Vlasotince with EUR92,000 and EUR24,600, respectively.
“This kind of facility caries strategic importance for the municipality, as we have spent RSD2.4 in 2016 and as much as RSD3.8 million to compensate the citizens bitten by stray dogs, which means that we have spent half the money needed for the construction of the shelter that wil accommodate between 80-100 dogs,” said the Deputy President of the Municipality of Vlasotince Bosko Stancic.
The project sets an example of good practice of inter-municipal cooperation between Vlasotince and Bojnik. The two municipalities will manage the shelter in line with the principles of good governance. They will sign an agreement on cooperation which will improve the management of the facility, expenditures, risk sharing and procedures in relation to taking care of animals.
The construction works, which should be completed in 60 days, are carried out by the AD Spektar Invest from Paracin, a construction company selected within the procurement procedure.
The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS).
The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.
