06.06.25
Moldova may be a small country, but it faces substantial animal welfare challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the high number of stray dogs who roam both urban and rural areas.
Limited resources, varying local approaches and a general lack of understanding towards animals mean that many dogs continue to live in difficult conditions without access to proper care, shelter, or veterinary treatment.
Naturewatch Foundation believes that addressing these issues requires collaboration, public education, and compassionate, sustainable solutions.
At the end of May, we held a national two-day seminar on humane and effective stray dog catching in Bălți, Moldova, which was organised by Karl Luganov, Chair of the Administrative Council of the Bălți municipal animal shelter.
Initiated by our Eastern Europe campaign coordinator, Natalie, the event marked a major step forward in improving animal welfare practices across the country.
Originally planned as internal training for the Bălți dog catching team, the seminar was expanded into a national event thanks to the involvement of two highly qualified Romanian experts – Dr. Ovidiu Roșu and Dr. Mircea Stefanache. Their participation inspired us to invite representatives from other cities across the country.
Who took part in the seminar?
The training brought together staff from municipal services and shelters in the cities of Leova, Cahul, Comrat, Rezina, and Bender. The level of interest from different regions confirmed the clear need for this type of training and experience-sharing.
Thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to organise this event.
Day one: Humane dog catching and animal welfare training
The seminar began with a full day of classroom-based learning, led by Dr. Roșu and Dr. Stefanache, who shared insights from over 20 years of frontline animal protection work in Romania.
Topics included:
- Modern methods for humane dog catching
Laying the groundwork with theory. - Understanding the behaviour of free-roaming dogs
- Safe and effective use of tools like box traps, catch poles, blowpipes, and dart guns
- Strategic planning of sterilisation campaigns
- Case studies on how civic engagement and legislation have advanced in Romania
- To ensure accessibility, the seminar was delivered in Romanian, with Russian translation available as needed.
Day two: practical fieldwork
On the second day, participants joined the experts in the field, targeting locations where uncatchable dogs had previously evaded capture.
Thanks to the professional approach, four dogs were caught within just two hours – animals the shelter had been unable to catch for a long time.
Each stage of the process was thoroughly explained, covering correct equipment handling, stress reduction for the animals, and ensuring safety for the team.
This hands-on training proved to be an extremely valuable experience for municipal catching services.
Behind the scenes: Bălți shelter tour
Following the fieldwork, participants toured the Bălți municipal shelter, learning about its infrastructure, kennel layout, and daily animal care routines.
The event closed with a warm and celebratory touch: each attendee received a personalised certificate of participation, signed by lead trainer Dr. Roșu.
Why does this training matter?
For many attendees, the seminar was not only educational but also inspirational. Practical skills, examples of systemic approaches, and real-time collaboration with colleagues from other regions served as a powerful motivator for change.
The Romanian experts highlighted how, despite the absence of a national animal welfare law in Moldova, some cities have already adopted local regulations addressing this issue. This gives real hope for progress in the country.
Our thanks
Naturewatch Foundation is deeply grateful to everyone who made this seminar such a success:
- Karl Luganov, Chair of the Administrative Council of the Bălți shelter, for his dedication and organisation
- Our Moldovan partners, Societatea Umana (Facem lumea mai bună), for their invaluable support on the ground
- All the committed participants, for their openness to learn and collaborate
- Our supporters, without whom none of our animal welfare projects would be possible
This event represents more than a training – it’s a catalyst for progress. We look forward to continuing this journey together, and to supporting more humane, effective, and sustainable solutions for animal welfare in Moldova and beyond.
Get involved
- Find out more about our work in Moldova, Ukraine and Romania.
- Read about Natalie’s visit to Moldova in 2024.
- Sign up to get our latest news by email or post!
- Please donate to support our training initiatives and help us improve animal welfare standards in the UK, Eastern Europe and around the world.
