[LEJ8]

I just finished with my home study, and my agency needs me to pick a country. I think the Roma children are beautiful, but I am scared to travel to Bulgaria. A friend traveled there for his work and has told me there are sick, stray dogs everywhere. I am a huge dog lover, and cannot bear to see this. Before anyone judges me on this, please know that my love for all helpless things is why I am choosing to adopt in the first place. I just don't know if I can mentally handle seeing the starving animals in the streets. I used to work in animal rescue and had to quit for my sanity. I know all countries that are open to foreign adoptions probably have terrible sights for tourists, but I am especially partial to animals. Another friend who travels extensively told me to choose another country. Has anyone that has traveled to Bulgaria have any thoughts on this?

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

I have been there 4 times. I was scared the first time, but now I love it, and cannot wait until my childen are older and I can take them back.

There are stray dogs, but I did not see that many. Most of the ones I saw were out on the Black Sea coast. I would tend to think that most countries that have their children in orphanages will also have dogs roaming the streets. If they cannot care of the children, dogs are not going to be treated like the kings the dogs in the U.S. are considered.

Honestly, when you walk into an orphange, in any country, your heart will break when you look into the eyes of these children and see how they live. You will want to take every kid home and your mind will race trying to figure out how to get more people to adopt and save those kids. You will need to "buck up" to get through those orphange visits, no matter where you adopt from.

Kay

[lizbourmatnov]

I adopted my oldest from Kazakhstan and unfortunately it was the same there too with the dogs. There are too many unfixed animals roaming the streets. My heart did break for them expecially since it was winter and the warmest day was 8 degrees farenheit.
While I feel your pain, I agree with another posted response that the children will take much of your mind off of it.
Do not let this deter you from what is going to be one of the most wonderful experiences of your life. You will be enriched and enlightened to travel to places like this (non tourist destinations where real life is happening). While you will see some despair, but how people enjoy their lives will make you feel alive and possibly question your existance! It made me want to be a better person and take more responsibility for all people and living things.

[amyfk]

HI,

I cannot speak for Bulgaria personally since Ive never been there. We've adopted from Russia and I saw a few stray dogs but not that many because we stood in a large town(regional county seat like area) as well as Moscow.
I have traveled to other areas and unfortunately in other countries that are less affluent than the US unfortunately you will sometimes encounter stray dogs.
We went on vacation to Costa Rica about four years ago and we were waiting for a tour van to pick us up because the hike was too much and there were several dogs just hanging out. They didnt look like they were in such bad shape though.
We were also in Jamaica(very poor) last year and again I didnt finish an excursion because I slid on a rock in the river. I sat and waited for the group and there looked to be several dogs hanging out. One looked like her pups were still nursing from her.
I didnt get the feeling the dogs were suffering so, I guess in other countries they dont have the resources for shelters, foster care, spaying, etc. that we have here.
I dont get personally sensitive about dogs but I would like to see India but there I hear it's not the animals that are upsetting. Although India has come up in the world in recent years I hear there are a lot of folks living on the streets and begging, including kids. Because of this phenomenon I can sorta understand your reluctance to go to Bulgaria. I think if I went to India I would be very upset mentally.
Why dont you talk to the agency reps? They can give you an idea if your worries are valid. Perhaps the areas you will go to there won't be as much as a problem of sick, stray dogs.
I wish you the best,
Amy K, NJ

[bulgaria-d]

I have been to Bulgaria twice. I love the country. Yes, I did see things that would be sickening by US standards. I was there on two mission trips. The people are warm and friendly. Don't let your fear of the unknown rob you of one of the greatest experiences of your life. Honestly I don't think you will see things any better in another country. I dealt with children living in the streets. It was very sad. Nobody loves their dog more than me. I can't stand seeing animals go without. But this is just how things are in countries that don't have resources. I saw pigs loose in one town. Just keep your goal in focus. You are only visiting not relocating. Kristen

[portlowski]

I am also one of those people who hates to see suffering and am a huge lover of dogs (and people too!). I have traveled extensively and the thing that I keep in mind is that stray dogs at least are not being held against their will and abused. Animals are very resourceful and dogs especially find saftey in their packs. Go, focus on what you CAN do. And consider making a small docnation to the aspca or simialr organization that might be doing work in Eastern Europe. Travel is such a broadening experience and I think you will be happy you did it.

[amyfk]

Lastly(because I dont want to bang you over the head with this) I was reading somewhere today in a local paper that it is good to get a dog from an American shelter or breeder than in a pet store. The writers were saying that pups sold in pet stores were often bred in puppy mills where adult dogs are held against their will and where they are in barbed wire fences etc. So although you dont see these pets on the streets here, they are locked up against their will by uncaring humans. Maybe in a way it's better the dogs can be free to run around than be captive to the whims of profit-making humans.
If you go to Bulgaria try to focus on the beauty of your future child's country. I am sure there is beauty in every country in the world.
Amy K, NJ

[ElsieC]

All of the countries in this part of the world have a problem, to a degree, with stray animals (both cats and dogs). IMO it's got better in the last 4-5 years in a lot of these countries. The one with the biggest problem is actually Romania, where there is a significant problem with packs of wild stray dogs roaming and attacking.

Honestly I don't think you will find it so bad. Much more likely to emotinally hurt you will actually be the faces of the children you see.

Best of luck with your adoption!

[bulgaria-d]

I just came back from Bulgaria yesterday. I didn't see tons of stray dogs. I saw a few. I did see lots of dog owners with their dogs. The owners had their dogs out at the parks playing. I ask about some of the dogs I saw that I thought might be stray only to see they had vaccination tags. I hope this helps.

[Happymom3]

Originally Posted by bulgaria-d

I just came back from Bulgaria yesterday. I didn't see tons of stray dogs. I saw a few. I did see lots of dog owners with their dogs. The owners had their dogs out at the parks playing. I ask about some of the dogs I saw that I thought might be stray only to see they had vaccination tags. I hope this helps.

bulgaria-d -

Did you just go to Bulgaria to visit or were you there regarding an adoption?

[ladyjubilee]

I didn't adopt from Bulgaria, but stayed with my friend for over a month. I loved Bulgaria--and I didn't see any stray dogs. I wouldn't let stay animals keep me from adopting from or even visiting Bulgaria.

[ananas]

Bulgaria has no more of a problem with unwanted animals than America, the difference is that America has charities that remove them from the abuser or street, a bit like out of sight out of mind.( animal planet shows terrible stories of abuse and neglect of animals in America on tv here) Unfortunately Bulgaria or other countries in that region, have no or few animal charities to deal with the problem. Neutering is not commmon and is expensive. Please do not be scared to travel to Bulgaria , its culture is rich in history and tradition and slowly with the help of other EU countries growing and moving forward.

[ChelleBrewer]

I lived in Russia and they have feral dogs there, as well... They have just adjusted to their environment, tend to leave people alone and scavage for food in trash bins. I remembering thinking, "That's a shame, I wish they had comfortable homes" but I also thought that about the poverty I saw around me. It didn't scare me, though. It saddened me and made me want to try and make a difference and at least impact some of the lives there. I agree, there is waaaaay too much history, culture, and personality in the Eastern European/Eurasian countries to avoid them.