Stray animals may transmit several infectious diseases as they come into contact with humans and wild animals. The regions of Vynohradiv (UA) and Rzeszów (PL) have struggled with this problem – insufficient control and immunization, poor equipment base and finally irresponsible attitude of the owners of the animals. Sterilization and vaccination are main preventive methods to control stray animals’ population.

To reduce epidemiological risk the CBC4animals project partners decided to introduce joint preventing activities. The project has carried the treatment, chipping, vaccination, sterilization of 100 stray animals in Vynohradiv and 100 in Rzeszów as well as chipping 900 of them in Rzeszów. Furthermore, the Animal Protection Organization in Rzeszów has modernized the hall with kennels including installation of heated floors and the replacement of metal grids by glass walls. On the Ukrainian side the Animal Control Centre has been created in Vynohradiv with units of: Veterinary Service, Catching of Animals Service and Waste Utilization Station. There is a space to accommodate animals, quarantine zone, animal walking zone, crematorium. Both centres have also been equipped with specialized medical devices (laparoscope, endoscope, X-ray and USG machines, operating tables, blood testing machine and many others) as well as specialized transporting cars. Moreover, there was the exchange of surgery experience and other professional skills between the staff of the Ukrainian and Polish entities. Both partners conducted a set of educational activities on handling with stray animals as well.

The main project benefit for the border area of Poland and Ukraine was the creation of conditions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among local residents. The control of the stray animals’ population and their immunization significantly decreased the direct epidemiological threat. The exchange of experience between the partners and educational campaign improved the level of services and possibility of finding owners for homeless animals.

Radio broadcast about the medical project "HCS" - implemented under the PL-(BY)-UA Programme

PBU project interviewsBy PBUSep 08, 2022