Pets and Bulgarian Vets

A couple of years before we came to live here we adopted two Bulgarian street dogs from one of the hard-working charities who seek to make a difference over here – Bulgarian Street Cats and Dogs. Little did we know then that this would become our home country and that we would soon be bringing them back to their roots! Obviously, on moving here, one of our main priorities was to search out a Bulgarian vets.

The Plight of Street Cats and Dogs

The only downside of living in this amazing country that we have come across so far, are the many stray cats and dogs.  Their plight is truly heartbreaking to anyone who loves animals, and I personally have shed quite a few tears on quite a few occasions.  Not only are they homeless, in below freezing temperatures in winter, but they are often mistreated and even poisoned.  Unlike England, there is no RSPCA or cruelty legislation (at least none that seems to be implemented) leading to some harrowing instances of abandonment, ill-treatment, and neglect.  

Animal shelters are often frowned upon, and I know of two charities that have received ‘hate’ from locals when attempting to help the strays. There are even financial penalties for anyone attempting to set a shelter up I have been told. Why this is? I don’t know, except that people here have often led hard lives struggling to survive and so maybe have less sympathy for animals. Maslow’s hierarchy maybe.

A trip to our Bulgarian vets

Since moving to Bulgaria we have adopted four more Street dogs and four more stray cats.  We came across our latest stray cat as we stood  in line at a market stall waiting to purchase over ripe tomatoes for canning.  

Taking a step backwards to make room for other customers I was surprised by a panic-stricken screech from my husband.   There was the tiniest kitten inches from my feet and due to my sight loss, I hadn’t seen it.  The kitten staggered towards me and I realised that she was sick. Instinctively  bending down to scoop her up, I learned that her eyes were glued shut – she was unable to see.  Looking plaintively at my husband I asked “We can’t leave her here like this can we?”  I needn’t have been worried, he was just as concerned as I was.  We involuntarily both turned together to head to the lovely Bulgarian vets that we knew on the edge of the stalls where we got treatment for her.

Half an hour later, cat box, eye drops, and premium kitten food in hand – we headed back to the tomatoes.  A lady appeared, and pointing to her stall, she muttered something energetically about her cat.  Panic hit us – “Had we taken her kitten?”  The kitten was clearly in need of medical attention.  How did we handle this?  Fortunately, her son spoke very good English. Presenting us proudly with a picture of his own large cat on his phone,  he explained that the kittens were strays. His mother had been leaving out food for them.  What she was actually asking was “Would we like to take more than one kitten!”

Bulgarian Vets Services

With so many animals to take care of, we have been relieved to discover that there are some amazing Bulgarian vets here. They speak English and provide excellent treatment at a much lower cost than in England.  Amazingly, our local Bulgarian vets only charges us for medicines, tests and operations etc; not his actual consultation time. This is such a stark contrast to England where even a routine visit costs a weeks wages!

Here is one of our dogs (Chris) being nursed back to health following a successful operation on his leg by one of the amazing Bulgarian Vet practices here. My husband reliably informed me that this is the same ligament that has ended many a footballer’s career! Chris is now back to his usual self.

This is a link to a video that one of the charities we support produced of two of our rescues:

https://fb.watch/5Akw_FUG7_/

and this is a tribute to Lily the love of my life💔