Humane management of stray dogs in the Municipality of Kichevo

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The 2026 Budget of the Municipality of Kičevo allocates MKD 5,050,000 under Subprogramme JL0 – Other Communal Services (capital expenditure). The construction of a shelter for stray dogs is also listed as a planned activity in the Citizens’ Budget. According to the Budget Execution Report for January–June 2026 and the 2026 supplementary budget, the allocation under JL0 remains unchanged at MKD 5,050,000, with no recorded reduction or reallocation of funds.

2026 Budget of the Municipality of Kichevo
Citizens’ Budget for 2026
Amendments and Supplements to the 2026 Budget of the Municipality of Kichevo (Supplementary Budget)
Budget Execution Report of the Municipality of Kichevo for the Period January–June 2026

During July–September, Tender Notice No. 14879/2026 was published for urban plan preparation and review, without specific reference to the animal shelter. Procedure No. 11097/2026 for dog capture and treatment was cancelled due to deficiencies in the tender documentation. The repeated procedure, No. 13937/2026, valued at MKD 1,200,000 excluding VAT, concluded with a framework agreement signed on 14 September 2026 with ZEBRA VETERINA DOO from Demir Hisar.

Annual Public Procurement Plan of the Municipality of Kichevo for 2026
ESJN – Tender Notice No. 14879/2026 and Tender Documentation
ESJN – Tender Notice No. 13937/2026
Cancellation of Procurement Procedure No. 11097/2026
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT
for the Capture and Professional Treatment of Stray and Unregistered Dogs within the Territory of the Municipality of Kichevo

In the first quarter, key prerequisites for implementing the measure included securing budgetary funds, selecting a location, preparing project documentation, and obtaining the necessary consents, approvals and permits. According to the Municipality, the project brief is complete, and project documentation is in its final stage. Outstanding consents, approvals and permits will be monitored next quarter to identify pending administrative procedures and their potential impact on the implementation timeline.

2026 Budget of the Municipality of Kichevo
Citizens’ Budget for 2026
2026 Supplementary Budget
Budget Execution Report for 2026 (January–June 2026)
Verbal information provided by representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo / Report on the roundtable held on 29 September 2026.

Preparatory activities for implementing the measure are ongoing. According to the Municipality, the project brief has been completed, and the project documentation is in its final stage. No on-site or construction activities have been recorded at the selected location, and construction of the shelter has not yet begun. According to the budget execution report, as of 30 June 2026, no expenditure had been recorded against the MKD 5,050,000 allocated under Subprogramme JL – Other Communal Services, Item 482 – Other Construction Facilities, for this capital investment.

Verbal information provided by representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo / Report on the roundtable held on 29 September 2026.
Review of the Municipality of Kichevo’s website

During the reporting period, no updates on the measure’s implementation, project documentation or planned shelter construction were identified on the Municipality of Kichevo’s official website or social media channels. Information on the current implementation stage was obtained through direct communication with municipal representatives but was not found published through official public communication channels.

Review of the official website and social media channels of the Municipality of Kichevo

The Municipality of Kichevo regularly responds to requests for access to public information. However, no information on the specific monitored measure was available during the current quarter, as the project team had not submitted a new request to the Municipality. A request concerning the measure was submitted to the public utility company Komunalna Higiena, but no response had been received by the end of the monitoring period.

Project team

During the current quarter, representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo shared information about the measure through a direct meeting with the monitoring team, participation in a roundtable discussion, and a recorded interview prepared for the project and published on social media. These activities provided updates on the current implementation phase of the measure and the next steps towards the construction of the shelter.

Minutes/notes from the meeting with the Municipality of Kichevo; agenda and materials from the roundtable discussion; recorded interview with a representative of the Municipality of Kichevo and the corresponding social media post.

During the current quarter, community forums were held with the participation of citizens. According to information provided by the moderator, the issue of stray dogs was identified as one of the municipality’s most pressing problems; however, it was not selected as a priority project proposal. Consequently, citizens participated in a broader consultation process but were not involved in making specific decisions regarding the implementation of the monitored measure.

Official announcements by the Municipality of Kichevo regarding the community forum sessions; direct discussion with the moderator of the forum process.

During the current quarter, no specific citizen initiatives, petitions, or requests for consultations related to the implementation of the measure were identified through the available sources. At the community forums, the issue of stray dogs was highlighted as a pressing local concern but was not selected as a priority project proposal. No further inquiries were made during the current quarter regarding any initiatives that may have been submitted directly to the Municipality.

Analysis of publicly available information on the Municipality of Kičevo’s website.

During the current quarter, a roundtable discussion entitled “Local Measures for the Humane Treatment of Stray Animals in Kichevo: Challenges and Next Steps” was organised as part of the project, with the participation of representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo and other relevant stakeholders.
The event presented the monitoring findings and provided an opportunity to discuss the activities undertaken to date to implement the measure, the status of the project documentation, the challenges encountered, and the next steps towards constructing the shelter. Municipal representatives shared information on the current stage of implementation, while participants had the opportunity to discuss the measure and share their views on its further implementation.

Agenda of the roundtable discussion; list of participants; minutes/notes from the roundtable discussion; photographs and social media posts about the event.

The Municipality of Kichevo provides general electronic services and downloadable forms through its website, including a form for compensation for injuries caused by bites from stray dogs. The electronic “Write to the Mayor” option is also available. However, no dedicated electronic tool has been identified through which citizens can participate in planning or implementing the construction of the shelter.

Analysis of the official website and social media of the Municipality of Kichevo; verbal information from representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo / Report from the round table held on September 29, 2026.

For the period July–September 2026, no information was available regarding the organisation of an open day dedicated to the monitored measures, which would have enabled citizens to learn about their implementation, discuss progress with representatives of the competent institutions, and submit their opinions, proposals, and comments.

Analysis of the official website and social media of the Municipality of Kichevo; verbal information from representatives of the Municipality of Kichevo / Report from the round table held on September 29, 2026.