OIPA in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Who We Are

OIPA’s work in Bosnia-Herzegovina is carried out by its local representatives, Anđela Španović and Ivana Lukić, in cooperation with WagWag, a citizens’ association committed to improving animal welfare through systemic, sustainable and community-based approaches.

Their work focuses mainly on the protection of stray and abandoned animals, especially dogs and cats, through education, sterilisation, volunteer support, shelter reform, digital outreach and public awareness.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, animal welfare is strongly affected by the high number of stray animals, limited institutional capacity, insufficient shelter infrastructure and the need for greater transparency and coordination. Through its local representatives, OIPA supports initiatives that promote responsible pet ownership, humane treatment of animals, sterilisation and stronger protection for animals in need.

“Every stray animal deserves more than survival. They deserve safety, dignity and care.”

Anđela Španović, Founder of WagWag

Our Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina

OIPA’s mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina is to support the protection of stray and abandoned animals, promote responsible coexistence between people and animals, and encourage sustainable solutions to animal welfare challenges.

The work focuses on education, awareness, direct support to field volunteers, sterilisation initiatives, shelter reform, digital outreach and advocacy for greater transparency in the management of stray animal issues.

Through these activities, OIPA and its local representatives aim to build a more compassionate society where animals are treated with dignity and where communities, institutions and citizens work together to prevent suffering.

What We Do

OIPA in Bosnia-Herzegovina supports a wide range of activities dedicated mainly to stray dogs and cats.

The work includes educational programmes in schools and local communities, support for volunteers caring for stray animals, veterinary assistance, food donations, sterilisation campaigns, digital awareness initiatives, advocacy for shelter reforms and projects designed to improve living conditions for animals on the streets.

A key part of this work is reaching smaller towns across Bosnia-Herzegovina, where animal welfare challenges are often more difficult to address and where community education can make a significant difference.

“Animal welfare is not only about rescuing animals. It is about changing the system that allows them to suffer.”

Challenges and Our Response

Animal welfare in Bosnia-Herzegovina is closely connected to broader social and institutional challenges. The country continues to face a large population of stray animals, insufficient sterilisation programmes, limited shelter capacity and infrastructure, low public awareness, dependence on volunteers and a lack of sustainable funding.

In some areas, animal welfare is also affected by corruption, lack of transparency and limited accountability in the use of public resources intended for the care and protection of animals.

These challenges are interconnected and require long-term, coordinated solutions involving citizens, institutions, professionals, volunteers and animal welfare organisations.

OIPA’s work in Bosnia-Herzegovina, carried out by its local representatives in cooperation with WagWag, responds to these challenges through three main areas of action: transparency, education and direct intervention.

Main Areas of Activity

Education and Community Awareness

OIPA’s local representatives promote educational programmes in schools and local communities, focusing on responsible pet ownership, sterilisation and humane treatment of animals.

These activities aim to create long-term behavioural change and encourage children, young people and families to understand the importance of compassion, prevention and responsibility towards animals.

Volunteer Support

Volunteers play a vital role in caring for stray and abandoned animals across Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In Banja Luka and other areas, many volunteers regularly provide food, organise sterilisation, support veterinary care, raise awareness, look for adoptive homes and offer temporary foster care. However, the number of animals in need often exceeds their financial and logistical capacity.

Through the WagWag app, individuals can publish and respond to SOS requests, making it easier to connect volunteers with people willing to help. Support may include food donations, contributions to veterinary expenses, temporary foster homes or assistance in urgent situations.

Sterilisation and Veterinary Care

Sterilisation is one of the most important tools to reduce the number of stray animals humanely and sustainably.

Whenever possible, WagWag supports free or subsidised sterilisation programmes for street cats and other stray animals. In recent months, around 300 stray cats have been sterilised.

The programme follows the Trap–Neuter–Return approach, a humane method in which street cats are safely trapped, examined and sterilised by veterinarians, allowed to recover and then returned to their original territory, where they are already adapted and cared for by local volunteers.

Sterilised cats are marked with a small heart-shaped tattoo on the ear, helping volunteers and veterinarians identify them and avoid duplicate procedures.

Through this approach, OIPA and WagWag support healthier cat colonies, reduce uncontrolled breeding and improve overall welfare for both animals and the communities that care for them.

WagWag Mobile App

WagWag has developed a mobile app and digital platform designed to improve the lives of animals while educating users about proper care, protection and animal welfare.

The platform connects pet owners, volunteers, veterinarians, shelters, animal welfare organisations and animal-related businesses, creating a more coordinated network of support.

Its first active phase, WagWag SOS, helps abandoned animals in urgent situations. Users can report animals in need, receive guidance on the most appropriate institution or service nearby, and follow updates on animals after rescue or adoption.

The app also supports shelters and animal welfare organisations by helping them share profiles of animals available for adoption, receive donations and connect more easily with potential adopters and supporters.

Legal Advocacy and Shelter Reform

OIPA in Bosnia-Herzegovina also supports advocacy for more transparent and humane management of public shelters.

Through field work and communication with volunteers and animal lovers across the country, WagWag has identified the need for systemic improvements in many municipal shelters, including better conditions, greater efficiency, transparent records and more humane treatment practices.

In 2024, WagWag carried out a 12-month project addressing serious concerns related to the Banja Luka City Shelter, including lack of transparency, alleged misuse of public funds and severe animal welfare concerns.

Through investigation, public mobilisation and a strong media campaign, WagWag helped prevent the same clinic from reapplying for the new shelter tender. Since then, the shelter has opened its doors to the public on a daily basis, and the city administration now involves WagWag in shelter-related matters.

Infrastructure for Stray Cats

One of most innovative projects is the Cat Hotels initiative.

Cat Hotels are open-type feeding stations designed for street cats in safe, established locations. They support existing volunteers and improve the conditions at informal feeding sites where cats are already living.

Each Cat Hotel is managed by at least one dedicated volunteer responsible for daily care, including food, water, basic maintenance and access to veterinary help when needed.

All cats that can be safely handled are included in sterilisation programmes, helping stabilise colonies and prevent further uncontrolled reproduction.

Fundraising and Charity Activities

WagWag also organises fundraising and charity activities to support abandoned animals, volunteers and veterinary treatment costs.

Among these initiatives are humanitarian pet photography events, created to raise funds for medical care while also expanding the community of animal lovers and increasing public awareness about the emotional value animals bring into families.

These events often receive strong media and social media attention, helping to reach people beyond the volunteer community and communicate the real costs, effort and responsibility involved in rescuing and rehoming animals.

Our Impact

Through these initiatives, OIPA’s local representatives and WagWag are working to create meaningful and sustainable change for animals across Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The work carried out in 2024 and 2025 reached millions of people through awareness campaigns, supported volunteers and animals in need, promoted sterilisation, improved public understanding of animal welfare and contributed to greater transparency in shelter management.

These activities will continue throughout 2026, with the goal of expanding the impact and strengthening long-term solutions for stray animals across the country.