Into The Wild

Into The Wild

Bulgaria, a country highly influenced by the socialist regime and now one of the newcomers in the European Union since 2007, is a place far from flawless when it comes to stray animal policies. Other parts of Eastern Europe have, indeed, a similar situation. However, it can be suggested that Bulgaria is one of the most hostile places for street animals in Europe. According to Sofia Globe there were 7032 stray cats in Plovdiv, which is the second largest city in the country with a population of 346,893 residents. The same source reported that there has been a decrease in their number since 2015 when they were 8646. Nevertheless, the issue remains unresolved. And the question we need to ask ourselves is why is this the case?

There are different factors which have led to the creation of this problem. And what I mean by ‘problem’ is not stray animals’ existence. It is the fact that their continuous reproduction leads to them multiplying. This, frankly, results in seeing more feral cats and stray dogs dying of starvation, the unbearable temperatures during the harsh winters, the summer heat and lack of water or people’s cruelty and negligence. Furthermore, the Bulgarian government is not paying enough, if not any, attention to this situation. At the same time various non-governmental organisations such as Four Paws and Help Bulgaria Cats and Dogs work tirelessly to either castrate such animals or find a new home for them.

What is worth mentioning is that Help Bulgaria Cats and Dogs is an organisation founded by two British people who migrated to Bulgaria ten years ago and were highly distressed by the way animals on the streets were treated. We certainly cannot allow ourselves to create a stereotype of Bulgarians not caring about this issue. As someone, who comes from this country, I can proudly say that my family as well as friends and acquaintances of mine express nothing but love and care towards homeless dogs and cats. However, there are undoubtedly many more who are not willing to help.

The Bulgarian population might not be so moved by what is happening to animals on the streets every day, but a lady called Sabine Bertram from Germany certainly is. This amazing individual stayed in my mother’s family hotel in my hometown a few years ago and they bonded over their love for animals. She is the founder of ‘Pfötchen Chance e.V’. This is a non-profit association registered in both Bulgaria and Germany, which is funded solely through donations. Their main goal is helping homeless cats and dogs on the streets of Bulgaria and taking them to the local veterinarian for examination, vaccination or castration. Afterwards, Sabine and the volunteers in her organisation would look for new families for these animals in Germany and Switzerland and ensure their safe transportation.

I still have not had the privilege of meeting her in person. However, she was eager to share her story with me once I reached out to her through social media and asked if she is able to tell me more about what she has been doing over the last few years. After interviewing her, I was even more impressed by her compassion. Sabine started from the very beginning by telling me when she first came to Bulgaria. Twenty-two years ago, she and her husband visited The Golden Sands beach resort while on a holiday. They liked it so much that they decided to come back every summer. In time, they became so enamoured by the country’s beauty that they decided to only go to Bulgaria during their holidays.

Sabine told me that even back then, while Bulgaria was still in its early democratic days, the only new thing which she saw was all of the stray animals. In Germany, this issue never existed and animal’s rights have always been of great importance. On their second trip there they carried dog and cat food in their backpacks. They never spent time by the beach, and were only making sure all the animals they see in the streets were being fed. The other tourists in the resort as well as locals called them ‘crazy’, she added. When I realised what she had just said, I was once again angered and at a loss of hope that things may one day be different. So was she, more than twenty years ago, when she heard these words and could not understand where this cruelty towards animals was coming from.

Not long afterwards, she and her husband visited a shelter created by a German-Bulgarian couple in the coastal town of Dobrich. Sabine and her partner went there driving a transporter filled with dog food. She was so impressed by how well the animals were treated there so she started making monthly donations for many years. After some time had passed, one day in February of 2016 she saw a publication on Facebook asking people to donate money to a veterinarian clinic in order to save a puppy which was brutally hit by a car. For weeks she followed the publication and saw that there was no initiative coming from anyone. Sabine’s heart was broken. She then decided to pay for the treatment, which cost only 70 euros and managed to save the animal. Afterwards, she adopted two dogs and one cat from Bulgaria which live with her in Germany. 'My migrants' - she calls them.

Her views on the issue with homeless animals in Bulgaria have not changed, even after years of hard work towards trying to give them a better life. Sabine is certain that the government can resolve this problem by funding more organisations like hers. Over time, she has found that the main issue with official state animal shelters is the lack of financial support by the country’s leaders. The only money which is given away is for food. None of it ever goes for medical treatment or vaccines. When I asked Sabine what her message to all the people who are just like her is, I found nothing but wisdom in her words. She believes it is crucial for children to be taught to love animals from an early age. She is encouraging everyone to never stop fighting for animal’s rights. ‘Find more friends with the same ideas! As long as the animals need us, we will be there!’

She decided to end the interview by adding the following: "I think it is absolutely necessary to punish animal cruelty in Bulgaria, finally hard. Apparently, there is a wildlife police in Bulgaria, but nobody knows where it is and what its job actually is. Bulgaria, as a member of the EU, should also comply with applicable animal welfare rules!" This is the story of someone who is not limited by cultural differences, language, time, space, the financial and political situation or prejudice in order to do good for those who are incapable of protecting themselves in the way humans can. Yet, her example still imposes questions like why are not Bulgarian citizens the ones who need to be the most concerned? And why are they not taking action? Is it the government’s fault? Or is there another reason behind this? Is it all coming from people's mentality towards animals? Or is there a deeper, more complex answer to this question?