The Municipality of Pljevlja has plans to construct a new shelter for abandoned animals approximately two hundred meters from the existing facility.

This was confirmed by the Secretary of the Secretariat for Inspection Affairs of the Municipality of Pljevlja, Vule Macanović.

He mentioned that the proposed site, situated close to the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant, will be incorporated into the ongoing spatial planning efforts of the Municipality.

“The site for the new shelter has been identified through amendments to the spatial plan of Montenegro. The current shelter cannot be expanded as it is not on municipal property, and we lack authorization. Therefore, we have proposed a new site approximately 200 meters from the existing shelter, heading toward the city, on municipal land. Once the spatial plan is updated, we will proceed with the implementation,” Macanović explained.

The Director of the Utility Services Company, Mile Bujišić, noted that the current shelter in Zabrđe is at full capacity.

“The shelter does not have enough capacity to accommodate all stray dogs while adhering to the Animal Welfare Protection Act and the regulations set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,” Bujišić stated.

Last year, a total of 155 dogs were captured, including 130 adults and 25 puppies. Currently, 80 of the dogs captured in 2024 reside at the shelter.

During 2024, the veterinarian examined and dewormed 155 dogs at the Shelter for Abandoned Animals, sterilized 23 females, neutered 18 males, vaccinated 76 against rabies, and treated an average of 211 dogs for parasites. Last year, six dogs were adopted, while 38 were euthanized—35 due to illness or age and three for aggression towards staff.

Last year, a total of 155 dogs were captured, with 130 being adults and 25 puppies. Currently, of the dogs captured this year, 80 are at the shelter.

Currently, six staff members are employed at the Shelter for Abandoned Animals: one manager who also serves as a driver, four full-time workers, and one on a fixed-term contract.

“We are considering hiring another employee to assist with dog capture operations continuously and in a second shift. Employees of the Shelter for Lost and Abandoned Animals are actively visiting elementary schools, the city hospital, and kindergartens, responding to citizen requests and calls from the municipal police, but they are struggling to meet all demands,” Bujišić remarked.

He pointed out that while the primary focus is the city area, there has been a sharp rise in requests from rural regions, which has significantly increased shelter costs.

“To enhance the shelter’s operations in the upcoming period, it is essential to expand its capacity, as the current one is inadequate for the municipal needs. We also aim to implement the ‘catch, sterilize, vaccinate, and release’ program to help manage the dog population more effectively; such dogs are generally less aggressive and help prevent new strays in certain urban areas,” Bujišić concluded.

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