Gorni Bogrov dog shelter: Sofia asks food agency to lift visitor ban
Volunteers and would-be adopters are currently barred from the municipal dog shelter. The city warns the ban is hindering adoptions.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
Sofia Municipality has sent a letter to the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency firmly requesting that measures imposed on the municipal shelter for stray dogs in the village of Gorni Bogrov be lifted. The regional food safety directorate had temporarily suspended work at the shelter and banned visits, BNT reported. Volunteers, visitors and people wishing to adopt a dog currently cannot enter the premises. Organised visits, walks with volunteers and handing dogs over on site are also prohibited.
In the municipality's view, volunteer care is key to the animals' welfare and to the success of adoption campaigns. A complete ban on outside access could prevent adoptions and keep the shelter overcrowded, the letter says. The city said it expected constructive dialogue and a swift response from the agency.
At the same time, the municipal company Ekoravnovesie plans to quickly fix technical problems with the floor grates in the kennels. The repairs could be scheduled so that volunteers have safe access at weekends and at set times, the municipality said. The number of dogs at the shelter was not disclosed.