Shelter Riska - Dogs
Shelter "Riska" history:
In the same year when "Help Animals" was founded and started its shelter, another shelter was founded in Belgrade by Serbian Society for the Protection of Animals, at the location given under no rental fee by The Police of Belgrade. It was situated on Avala hill, near Belgrade.
From 1997. – 2000. Mrs. Zlata Korjenic was main donor of this Avala shelter, by providing food for its residents and financing the salary for one worker. Mr. and Mrs. Kljakovic were also providing a certain amount of necessary medicines and other kinds of supplies. Neither Mrs. Korjenic nor Kljakovic family were the members of Serbian Society for the Protection of Animals and had no knowledge about the way the activities of the Society were conducted. General situation in the animal shelter on Avala was tragical. Sometimes up to 700 dogs were living on the area of 50 ares, serviced only by one man, with no regular supply of running water.
In June 2000., the Police of Belgrade ordered that the Society for the Protection of Animals should empty the shelter location. Entire management of the Society, and its President Mr. Milan Niketic had distanced themselves from the situation with shelter and left the animals to their uncertain future.
Upon this unfortunate outcome, Mrs. Korjenic put efforts to save lives of 430 dogs and 16 cats from the shelter in Avala. Together with Kljaković family, they decided to, jointly and on private initiative, buy appropriate plot for a new shelter for poor residents of Avala shelter.
It became transparent that Serbian Society for the Protection of Animals had already been legally blocked for two years, that it was badly organized and managed, that the shelter on Avala was never officially registered and that the Society could not be used for any legal protection of the animals which had to be relocated. The presidents board of "Help Animals" although in status of stagnancy, decided to help upon its own initiative and therefore elected new board of presidents and Mrs. Korjenic as its President. Mr. and Mrs. Kljaković and Mrs. Korjenić gave a plot of 47 ares to the association "Help Animals" without any compensation, for a shelter requirements, and financed building of the entire shelter. That is how Shelter "Riska" started.
"Riska" shelter was officially registered before the Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary Directorate under reg. no. 323-07-00740.
How Shelter "Riska" got a name:
The shelter was named after a dog Riska, who was found on the lot after it had been bought for the new shelter. Riska had seven puppies of her own, and one puppy that she had adopted. We found homes for six of them, while the remaining two female puppies (Riva and Renata), stayed in shelter and unfortunately died in the age of 5 of the consequences of dirofilaria. Unfortunately, Riska died in June 2003.
Shelter "Riska" today:
Today, in 2011. there are almost 300 dogs and 24 cats in shelter "Riska". The other cats are in Shelter "Jessica" which is established in meantime (read more about Shelter "Jessica"). Right now, we are spending all time to help these animals and we are keeping them in good shape, despite of very bad economical situation.
If you want to help animals from our shelters, we will be very grateful. Please read: "How to help"...
Thank you very much!
Please, look at the Shelter "Riska" photos (Click to view full image):
