Street Animals vs Pets With Benefits by Rob Carr

Living all over the world for the last three to four decades, I have seen vastly different ways that people treat street animals. The spectrum spans from the heartbreaking—people throwing rocks or actively harming animals—to the heartwarming, where communities join in a collective effort to feed and care for them.

When I worked here in Albania 15 years ago, the situation sat somewhere in the middle. Street dogs roamed, sometimes in packs, and could occasionally be a nuisance. Other dogs were loosely attached to a specific home or shop but maintained a wide swath of freedom to wander as they pleased. Cats, on the other hand, were generally well-treated—reminiscent of places like Turkey and Greece, where a widespread love for felines means they are cared for collectively by the neighborhood.

Returning this time around, we were incredibly surprised by how much progress has been made. Animal shelters and mobile veterinary services have advanced significantly. The number of street dogs has decreased, and those remaining on the streets are far better cared for.

Most of the dogs we encounter now in parks and on the streets (the ones without owners or leashes) wear distinctive ear tags. These tags indicate they have been humanely caught, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and safely released. Beyond just receiving medical care, they are regularly fed by a network of shop owners, municipal employees (like park maintenance staff and street cleaners), security guards, kind citizens, and tourists alike.

Yet, I continually see expat Facebook pages and forums where newcomers fret endlessly about these street animals. Some even stress about them based on rumors before they even arrive in the country! They might see a stray dog resting peacefully in the park and immediately panic, wanting to call an NGO or an adoption service.

My reaction? They need to chill out.

Most of these dogs and cats are healthy, happy, and collectively looked after by the community. Albania has made massive strides over the past 15 years to manage this humanely, and the country should be congratulated—not second-guessed.

Some of the sweeties we encounter on our daily walks are pictured below. They absolutely make our day, and we love them all—no fretting or panicking required!