The way a country and its communities address the issue of stray animals reflects their level of maturity and compassion. Not too long ago, it appeared that our community had almost entirely failed this test. However, everything changed drastically when the editors of Vpered elevated this issue to a regular topic of discussion. Gentle pressure, coupled with our hard work, undoubtedly served as the driving force that led to the resolution of problems that initially seemed unresolvable. We recommend our experience to our colleagues. It really works!
Our editorial staff takes pride in what we’ve accomplished – pushing the authorities to take the first step towards addressing the issue of stray animals in society. The journalists realized that they still have influence, and that the authorities take their opinions and suggestions into account. Of course, this not only enabled us to embark on the path to solving the problem but also instilled confidence in the influence of the media. After all, when we started this project, we doubted that we would succeed. Now we are excited to share our experience with our colleagues.
What did we have?
In the editorial office of “Vpered,” serving the community of the village of Oleksandrivka in Kropyvnytskyi district, Kirovohrad region, we, along with community leaders, have long received numerous complaints about attacks by stray dogs on children and adults. At that time, officials took no action or provided information regarding support for the animals themselves and the urgent problem at hand. At the end of December 2023, the village council responded almost categorically to the editorial board’s latest request, stating that there is no municipal service for capturing dogs, cats, and other pets, nor is there an enterprise for the maintenance and treatment of animals in the Oleksandrivka Village Council. Funds for the creation and maintenance of a municipal service or an enterprise tasked with capturing and temporarily housing stray animals, as well as the construction of a shelter for their temporary detention, including sterilization procedures, are not allocated in the 2024 budget of the Oleksandrivka Territorial Community…
First of all, we couldn’t ignore what our readers were telling us
But the problem was urgent, so we decided to try to change the situation. First of all, we couldn’t ignore what our readers were telling us. The issue of stray animals being a longstanding concern was evident from the consistent expression of frustration in the comments by residents of the Oleksandrivka area under our Facebook posts. Furthermore, the Oleksandrivka Hospital officially confirmed that it registered 17 complaints from citizens regarding bites by stray animals in the year 2023.
So, we took up this task to establish at least sterilization. Because even at that moment, they were aware that the situation with stray animals in the neighboring communities, Kamianka and Znamianka, was much better.
What approach did we take to address the problem?
From the very beginning, we understood that this issue could not be resolved within a month or two. Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, the local authorities were categorical, citing the ongoing war in the country as a reason for financial constraints. Therefore, it appeared to everyone that there would be no understanding between the concerned residents of the community, who are worried about the fate of street animals, and the authorities. But we believed that the situation could be changed, at least start to change.
In the initial stage, we meticulously planned our actions, determining whom to send requests for information, where to find examples of successful experiences, and how to engage with animal rights activists. We also strategized for gentle persuasion, engaging in regular conversations on this topic with various people
Therefore, at the first stage, we thought through our actions to the smallest detail – to whom we send requests for information, where we take examples of successful experiences, with whom we communicate with animal rights activists…We also strategized for gentle persuasion, engaging in regular conversations on this topic with various people. Therefore, in their publications, they tried to draw the attention of all parties to the problem – the authorities, veterinarians, animal rights activists, the police, and physicians. We sought not only solutions but also common ground in their answers and arguments, aiming to unite efforts in order to address and eliminate the problem.
When requests for information were sent to the village council, veterinary service, police and hospital, they most expected a response from the village council. You already know its content. However, we did not stop; we continued to publish photos of stray dogs in various locations around Oleksandrivka in the Facebook newspaper group. Then we reached out to animal rights activists in neighboring communities, such as Znamianka and Kamianka, to learn from their experiences in addressing this issue. Their effective methods were also posted on the social media… and here, as they say, the ice broke! The village head said that he instructed the head of the Department of Architecture, Housing, Utilities, and Landscaping to go to Kamianka and ask about the activities of the shelter. Plus, he gave instructions to calculate the arrangement of such a shelter. We realized that the authorities listened to us!
The next step was a discussion. During a collective discussion involving journalists, the Oleksandrivka village head, the head of the Department of Architecture, Housing, Utilities, and Landscaping of the Oleksandrivka Village Council, the head of Veterinary Medicine for the community, and a local activist dedicated to addressing stray animals, we collectively reached the conclusion: the problem should be resolved immediately. This marked the next significant milestone in our progress.
But what next? The neighboring Kamianka community was a good example for us. A delegation from our community, comprising representatives from the Department of Urban Planning, Architecture, Housing, Utilities, and Landscaping, as well as specialists from the veterinary clinic, went there. I can say for sure: this is our merit. After all, we devoted a separate publication to the successful experience of neighbors in solving the problem of stray animals. This is to ensure that the community is aware of this experience and does not lose hope that solving the problem is both realistic and achievable.
We devoted a separate publication to the successful experience of neighbors in solving the problem of stray animals. This is to ensure that the community is aware of this experience and does not lose hope that solving the problem is both realistic and achievable
By the way, it was under this publication that Oleksandrivka residents, who not so long ago were skeptical about any progress, generously shared positive comments. One of the readers, for example, wrote: “We hope that these initial steps will lead to a successful resolution of such a longstanding and painful issue, improving the reputation of local authorities. Residents of the community, I am sure, will support and help the animals. It will also be possible to attract animal protection organizations to help and cooperate, and they can provide food and services to shelters.”
What do we have now?
We are delighted to say that the result is there! The communication, so to speak, occurred at the “round table.” While the village council had initially officially stated that “there is no way to resolve this issue,” it has now taken proactive steps in seeking solutions. In addition, the veterinary service, animal rights activists and proactive citizens joined in this.
Svitlana Lukianenko, the head of the Charity Foundation “Step to Animals” in Kamianka, also offers words of encouragement to the residents of Oleksandrivka: “Everything will be fine. I don’t get paid, but I rest in a shelter even when I get so tired that my legs don’t walk. This is really a wholly different job, where you need to love animals, not money. And, believe me, it is an incredible joy when you save a barely alive kitten, and it grows before your eyes and becomes a beautiful cat. Now I can’t imagine my life without my lovely tails.” The woman also shared photos from a tidy and neat animal shelter.
At the subsequent meeting addressing this issue in the village council, discussions revolved around the formation of a public organization tasked with animal care and fundraising, along with efforts to identify a suitable location for a shelter. In informal conversations, they exchanged ideas on how to care for and feed the animals. The confirmation that specialists from the veterinary clinic are prepared to perform sterilization operations for stray animals was provided by the head of the Veterinary Medicine Department.
At the subsequent meeting addressing this issue in the village council, discussions revolved around the formation of a public organization tasked with animal care and fundraising, along with a suitable location for a shelter. Many residents of Oleksandrivka expressed their readiness to provide financial support for the animal shelter and contribute to the sterilization efforts
Furthermore, several Oleksandrivka residents have already expressed their willingness to financially support the animal shelter and contribute to the sterilization efforts. For instance, one of the readers suggested, “…When a shelter and a public organization or charitable foundation are established, it would be good to have information about the current shelter and details for charitable contributions pinned on the Oleksandrivka Facebook group pages. This information would enable people who don’t reside in Oleksandrivka but wish to contribute to transfer donations.”
So… The only issue for today is finding a place for a shelter. When we have real offers, we can move on.
Once we resolve the issue with the existing stray animals, we must not neglect another crucial test – the test for humanity. This pertains to pet owners who have not yet learned to take responsibility for their domesticated animals and resort to abandoning newborn puppies and kittens on the streets. As one of our readers advises, “you need to treat your pets responsibly if you have them. When changing something, you should always start with yourself.”
Our conclusions
The most important thing is to always believe in yourself, start, act and never stop! I believe it is thanks to this that we have restored the media outlet’s influence and significance! If we hadn’t undertaken this project, community residents would have continued to complain about being bitten or frightened by stray dogs on the streets.
We also demonstrated to all the residents of the community that if we tackle the problem together, we can achieve positive results! I can back up my words with numbers. Our publications on stray animals drew two to three times more viewers than the newspaper group itself. With 4,100 followers on Facebook, each post on this topic reached over 4 thousand and, in some cases, even exceeded 9 thousand. And the tone of the comments has changed. As I said, until we started working on this topic, people mostly complained and expressed dissatisfaction. And now, for the most part, they thank us “for raising this topic.”
The most important thing is to always believe in yourself, start, act, and never stop. We demonstrated to the residents of the community that if we collectively address the problem, positive results can be achieved
The print newspaper also won. 50 new subscribers were added to the regular circulation of 1,700 copies. Not much yet, but print runs are falling – and we have it up. So, we have worked and are working for a reason. In the village, people started talking about stray dogs, and the first steps were taken to solve the problem – this is the main thing!
In summary, the outcome is that the newspaper was heard, and we are satisfied with the result. We know that the problem will not be solved in a short time, and a certain period of time is needed. But we only planned to push everyone interested to take the first steps in solving the problem. And we have achieved much more. That is very inspiring.
AUTHORS: Halyna Shevchenko and Olha Didenko, Vpered newspaper, Oleksandrivka, Kropyvnytskyi district, Kirovohrad region
This publication was created with the support of the European Union. The content is the sole responsibility of the Ukrainian Media Business Association and does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union, whose financial support made the project possible.