Mayor Goran Gerasimovski participated in a panel discussion entitled “For a more secure future for animals: Legal changes now!” organized by the Liberal Institute – Skopje, focusing on the need for urgent and systemic solutions for improved animal protection and care.
Gerasimovski emphasized that the Municipality of Centar is actively implementing the “Catch – Sterilize, Vaccinate, Return” policy in partnership with PE “Laika,” supported by an annual budget of 2 million denars.
He acknowledged that further engagement is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of this policy and announced plans for new initiatives. Gerasimovski highlighted the problem’s scope, stating that it affects the City of Skopje and all its municipalities and that a more extensive sterilization program is crucial for a comprehensive solution.
Gerasimovski stressed the importance of timely payments to PE “Laika” from all municipalities, emphasizing citizens’ right to transparency regarding the use of their funds, including data on the number of dogs caught, vaccinated, and treated. He specifically requested detailed statistics to assess the return on investment, particularly in light of payment discrepancies among municipalities.
The Municipality of Centar is also developing a program to subsidize the sterilization of domestic pets, drawing inspiration from a successful model in the Municipality of Gazi Baba. This program aims to provide pet owners with easier access to sterilization services, directly contributing to the reduction of stray animal populations, which often result from irresponsible pet ownership.
Gerasimovski noted that sterilization not only aids in population control but also lowers the risk of aggressive behavior in animals.
Furthermore, the Municipality of Centar is collaborating with neighboring municipalities on coordinated efforts to manage packs of stray dogs that move across municipal boundaries. These joint initiatives and educational campaigns are considered essential for achieving a long-term and sustainable solution.
Gerasimovski called for all ten mayors of Skopje municipalities to be conscientious in covering the costs to PE “Laika.” He mentioned discussions within the Skopje Planning Region regarding the need for more stations and systemic solutions. He cautioned against the practice of transferring the problem of stray dogs from one municipality to another, stressing that it is not a viable solution. He also expressed hope for positive citizen engagement, encouraging all pet owners to participate in creating a more humane and safer urban environment.