Montenegro Animal Sterilization Project (MASP)

Hi, I'm Vanessa Mahoney, a Fulbright Scholar living in Montenegro. My story is a sad but a hopeful one. I love animals and started sheltering stray and abandoned animals here immediately when I saw how dire the animal neglect problem was in this developing country.  My dogs were my best friends, my running buddies.... my tribe. Tragically, someone dropped poison in my yard and killed all but one of my dogs. Unfortunately, poison and mass killing is common in Montenegro, as there are dog and cat overpopulation problems and little to no resources such as shelters and dog boarding. There are active nonprofit animal groups in the country, but they are vastly under-resourced; shelters are in debt and won't even accept new animals. I live in the countryside, and this summer nearly daily, someone dumped their dog in my village because they were overburdened or were going on vacation, and they knew the poor dog couldn't find his home if he was stranded far out of the city. My heart was broken with my tragedy and these new ones, but it has only increased my call to action. I am working with established groups to bring aid to the neglected animals. Most importantly, I am using my platform at the American Corner and my connection with the US Embassy to champion a spay and neuter campaign to prevent this senseless suffering. Your donation can go FAR in Montenegro: it is only $30 to neuter a male dog, $40 to provide a month of foster care, and $10-$50 for vaccinations and veterinary care. I will see to it that every dollar you donate goes effectively to these animals, and to the memory my dogs that I feel I failed.