It Starts with Awareness

Awareness is the gradual learning about the experience and state of some phenomena or process. By increasing awareness of the experience of stray dogs, street dogs in particular, is the first step toward improving their lives. This particular blog post is dedicated to all the people and organizations who are committed to raising awarenessby sharing their observations, their art, their perspective. There are a variety of approaches that people have used to raise awareness of the stray dog situation. Here we’ll share a few noteworthy examples. Expect this blog to have updates so we can recognize more awareness campaigns.

Project Cookie

Approach: YouTube

For a firsthand account of attempts to help the stray dog population, watch this recently published mini documentary on YouTube. The videographer provides a great overview and her personal observations. We look forward to part 2 of her ‘Street Dogs of Prishtina’ series. In her words: “This video is about my experience with thestray dogs of Prishtina. Specifically, I share a few situations I have encountered that have shaped my perspective regarding this major problem. As a foreigner adapting to a new culture and environment, the dire situation of street dogs is something that I struggle to look past in my day-to-day life. While society still faces many financial and political shortcomings, addressing the issue of stray dogs takes both a political and cultural back seat.”

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G03o7FW_Kpc

The Citizen Paw

Approach: Film

Hana Noka, director and author, has begun creating a documentary to showcase the life of stray dogs called “The Citizen Paw”. It’s not clear if this movie has been released but the trailer is still worth watching. In Noka’s words: “That’s why I want to tell the story of stray dogs in my home country, Kosovo. Since they are unable to tell their stories, I will. Talking about this painful and heartbreaking topic is important. Talking leads to awareness, and awareness leads to change.”

From IMBD: “This documentary is a moving story about the stray dog problem in Kosovo. The U.S. led the 1999 NATO bombing campaign that paved the way to Kosovo’s independence on 17 February 2008. As of now, there are no exact figures for the number of stray dogs in the country, but by some estimates their number may be as high as 100,000 (One hundred thousand). “The Citizen Paw” is the uplifting documentary that will take us on a journey about much more than just stray dogs. It’s about prejudice, being misunderstood, the power of resilience,and the significance of the relationship we as humans have with animals.”

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecitizenpaw/

Please comment to tell us of other people or organizations we should feature next who are making great strides to increase awareness of the life of stray dogs.